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Sunlight used to convert plastics into useful chemical

December 15, 2019 | 186 views

Scientists here have developed a way to convert plastic waste into useful chemicals using sunlight. This is the first reported process that can completely break down a non-biodegradable plastic such as polyethylene using visible light and a catalyst that does not contain heavy metals, said Assistant Professor Soo Han Sen, 39, from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). His team from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences created a catalyst that harnesses light energy, such as sunlight, to break down chemical bonds in plastics within days. This photochemical reaction is more environmentally friendly than most recycling methods, which involve heating, generating greenhouse gases as a by-product, said Prof Soo.

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