Catalysis can help in the recycling of plastic waste through several methods:
1. Pyrolysis: This process involves the thermal decomposition of plastics in the absence of oxygen, with the aid of a catalyst. The result is a mixture of hydrocarbons that can be further refined into fuels or chemicals. 2. Hydrocracking: Catalysts are used to break down long-chain polymers into shorter, more useful hydrocarbons under high pressure and temperature in the presence of hydrogen. 3. Depolymerization: Catalytic depolymerization involves breaking down polymers into their monomers or oligomers, which can then be reused to produce new plastics.
