Platinum catalyst turns polypropylene into motor oil
Anew platinum catalyst converts polypropylene plastic into valuable liquid hydrocarbons, primarily motor oil (ChemSusChem 2021, DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202101999).
Supported on carbon, platinum nanoparticles catalyze the degradation of the polymer, but the new surface is engineered to stop breaking the chains at a target size. ?We control the adsorption energy [at the catalyst surface] to detach hydrocarbons after they reach a certain length,? says Antonio J. Mart?n, co-author of the study.
...
