Application of Eggshell‐Derived CaO in Catalytic Copyrolysis of Banana Peels and Plastic Mixtures: Product Analysis

The present study investigates the catalytic co‐pyrolysis of banana peel waste with plastic materials (HDPE, PP, and PET) using chicken eggshell‐derived CaO as a catalyst in a fixed‐bed reactor. The physical characterization of the synthesized CaO confirmed the successful formation of particles with a surface area of 186.45 m 2 ·g −1 and an average size of 2–4 µm. The catalytic activity of CaO significantly enhanced both the yield and quality of the gaseous products. The effect of temperature and blend composition on product distribution was systematically analyzed. Results demonstrated a pronounced synergistic interaction between banana peel and plastics, with increasing plastic content leading to higher liquid and gaseous product yields. The highest hydrogen gas yield (71.2 vol%) was achieved during the catalytic co‐pyrolysis of a 3:2 (w/w) banana peel–plastic mixture, representing the optimum synergistic composition. The CaO catalyst derived from waste chicken eggshells effectively promoted dehydrogenation and water–gas shift reactions, resulting in improved hydrogen generation and superior product quality. This study highlights the potential of utilizing waste‐derived CaO as a sustainable and cost‐effective catalyst for enhancing hydrogen‐rich gas production through the co‐pyrolysis of biomass and plastic wastes.