Sun-powered Reactor to Convert Plastic and CO2 into Fuel

Recently, researchers from the University of Cambridge, the UK, have developed a reactor that can, using just the energy from the Sun, convert plastic waste and greenhouse gases into sustainable fuels and other valuable products.

Key Points: The researchers developed an integrated reactor with two separate compartments: One for plastic and one for greenhouse gases.

• The reactor uses a light absorber based on perovskite - a promising alternative to silicon for next-generation solar cells.
• The team designed different catalysts, which were integrated into the light absorber. By changing the catalyst, the researchers could then change the end product.
• Tests of the reactor under normal temperature and pressure conditions showed the reactor could efficiently convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles and CO2 into different carbon-based fuels such as CO, syngas or formate, in addition to glycolic acid.
• The reactor produced these products at a rate that is also much higher than conventional photocatalytic CO2 reduction processes.

Significance: Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and plastics are two of the biggest threats facing the natural world. Their conversion into value-added products, driven by solar energy, is an important step in the transition to a more sustainable, circular economy.

• Similar techniques could be used to develop entirely solar-powered recycling plants in future.