Plastic waste as a feedstock for solar-driven H<inf>2</inf> generation

Abstract

Solar-driven photoreforming of plastics offers a simple and lowenergy means to turn waste into H2. Here, we report the efficient photoreforming of three commonly produced polymers – polylactic acid, polyethylene terphthalatate (PET) and polyurethane – using inexpensive CdS/CdOx quantum dots in alkaline aqueous solution. This process operates under ambient temperature and pressure, generates pure H2 and converts the waste polymer into high-value organic products such as formate, acetate and pyruvate. We further validate the real-world applicability of the system by successfully converting a PET water bottle to H2. This is the first demonstration of visible light-driven, noble metal-free photoreforming of plastic.