Researchers at the University of Waterloo have discovered a way to turn plastic waste into acetic acid, the main ingredient of vinegar, using sunlight. The breakthrough offers a promising new approach to reducing plastic pollution through photocatalysis, while simultaneously creating a useful, value-added chemical product through a process inspired by nature.
The research was led by Waterloo PhD student Wei Wei under Wu’s guidance, with early-stage support from a joint seed fund from the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and the Water Institute. Plastic waste, notably microplastics, has been found across many of the planet’s ecosystems, raising concerns about threats to terrestrial and marine life as well as human health.
To tackle this problem, the team developed a bio-inspired cascade photocatalysis using iron atoms embedded in carbon nitride, like how certain types of fungi break down organic matter using enzymes. When exposed to sunlight, the material drives a series of chemical reactions that transform plastic polymers into acetic acid with high selectivity. The reaction takes place in water, making it particularly relevant for addressing plastic pollution in aquatic environments. The research aligns with the University of Waterloo’s Global Futures initiative, which supports work aimed at advancing sustainable, circular solutions to global environmental challenges.
Source: Eurek Alert!
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