Conversion of Polyethylene to Low-Molecular-Weight Oil Products at Moderate Temperatures Using Nickel/Zeolite Nanocatalysts

Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used plastic, known for its high mechanical strength and affordability, rendering it responsible for ~70% of packaging waste and contributing to microplastic pollution. The cleavage of the carbon chain can induce the conversion of PE wastes into low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, such as petroleum oils, waxes, and natural gases, but the thermal degradation of PE is challenging and requires high temperatures exceeding 400 °C due to its lack of specific chemical groups. Herein, we prepare metal/zeolite nanocatalysts by incorporating small-sized nickel nanoparticles into zeolite to lower the degradation temperature of PE. With the use of nanocatalysts, the degradation temperature can be lowered to 350 °C under hydrogen conditions, compared to the 400 °C required for non-catalytic pyrolysis. The metal components of the catalysts facilitate hydrogen adsorption, while the zeolite components stabilize the intermediate radicals or carbocations formed during the degradation process. The successful pyrolysis of PE at low temperatures yields valuable low-molecular-weight oil products, offering a promising pathway for the upcycling of PE into higher value-added products.