Low‐Temperature Upcycling of Polypropylene Waste into H2 Fuel via a Novel Tandem Hydrothermal Process

Abstract

AbstractPlastic waste is a promising and abundant resource for H2 production. However, upcycling plastic waste into H2 fuel via conventional thermochemical routes requires relatively considerable energy input and severe reaction conditions, particularly for polyolefin waste. Here, we report a tandem strategy for the selective upcycling of polypropylene (PP) waste into H2 fuel in a mild and clean manner. PP waste was first oxidized into small‐molecule organic acids using pure O2 as oxidant at 190 °C, followed by the catalytic reforming of oxidation aqueous products over ZnO‐modified Ru/NiAl2O4 catalysts to produce H2 at 300 °C. A high H2 yield of 44.5 mol/kgPP and a H2 mole fraction of 60.5 % were obtained from this tandem process. The entire process operated with almost no solid residue remaining and equipment contamination, ensuring relative stability and cleanliness of the reaction system. This strategy provides a new route for low‐temperature transforming PP and improving the sustainability of plastic waste disposal processes.