By Abbas Nazil
Researchers from the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with the Australian Synchrotron, have achieved a breakthrough in recycling by converting common plastic waste into high-performance single-atom catalysts that could revolutionize energy and environmental technologies.
The team successfully transformed plastics such as PET, PVC, polyethylene, and polypropylene into catalysts where individual metal atoms are anchored on a graphene matrix.
These single-atom catalysts exhibited remarkable efficiency in breaking down water micropollutants and driving reactions in fuel cells and lithium-sulfur batteries.
According to the scientists, the innovation lies in controlling the atomic coordination environment, which prevents nanoparticles from forming and ensures the even distribution of reactive metals.
Using X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the ANSTO facility in Melbourne, researchers confirmed that the metals existed as isolated atoms rather than clusters, significantly improving catalytic performance.
The study highlights that this new recycling method works not only with pure plastics but also with mixed waste, allowing gram-scale production of functional catalysts.
Dr. Shiying Ren, the lead researcher, stated that the work proves plastics can become valuable resources rather than environmental hazards.
He noted that the approach is scalable and could be integrated into industrial systems to promote sustainability in sectors such as electronics, energy, and environmental engineering.
Dr. Bernt Johannessen from the Australian Synchrotron emphasized that precise atomic-level characterization plays a vital role in accelerating green innovations.
The study, published in Nature Communications, expands on ongoing research into atomically engineered catalysts using controlled salt templates and complementary fabrication methods.
Scientists believe this advancement represents a viable solution for the circular economy, offering an innovative pathway to address global plastic pollution and build cleaner, more efficient technologies for the future.
