Catalytic Depolymerization of Plastics to Valuable Products

Abstract Plastic products have become integral to every facet of human life. However, the environmental pollution caused by plastic wastes has been an unavoidable problem nowadays. Catalytic depolymerization of plastic waste provides a sustainable and economic alternative to solve the environmental issue. Herein, we summarize different types of catalytic depolymerization based on the compositions and structures of plastics. One catalog is the conversion of plastics into monomers, i.e., polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, and polycarbonate. Then, we focus on the conversion of polyolefins to gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, value‐added products. Selective oxidation of polystyrene and transition to functional polymers are also discussed. Ongoing challenges and opportunities are discussed at the end of this review, in order to offer guidance for the synthesis of valuable products from plastic wastes as new feedstocks.