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Plas2Cat: Synergism of Plasmonics and other Catalytic processes for Reforming Plastics

Descrizione del progetto

Trasformare i rifiuti plastici in risorse preziose

La plastica danneggia gli ecosistemi e provoca il 5 % delle emissioni di gas serra. Entro il 2050, potrebbe rilasciare 2,6 giga-tonnellate di CO2 all’anno. Tuttavia, solo il 10 % viene riciclato, per lo più in forme meno utili. Con il sostegno del programma di azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie, il progetto Plas2Cat sta sviluppando nanoparticelle plasmoniche avanzate per scomporre le plastiche difficili da riciclare, come il polistirene, in sostanze chimiche di valore. Utilizzando la luce dal visibile all’infrarosso, queste nanoparticelle - fatte di metalli come l’oro, il palladio e alternative presenti in abbondanza sulla Terra - guideranno le reazioni catalitiche. Plas2Cat apre la strada al riutilizzo sostenibile, trasformando i rifiuti in risorse riutilizzabili e dando nuova vita all’economia circolare.

Obiettivo

Plastic waste, once valued for its durability, now presents severe environmental and economic challenges due to its persistence and complex disposal. Contributing 5% to global greenhouse gas emissions with projections of 2.6 Gt of CO2 annually by 2050, urgent solutions are needed. Currently, only 10% of plastics are repurposed into lower-value products, highlighting the necessity for innovative cradle-to-cradle approaches. The Plas2Cat project, which will be hosted by Prof. Erwin Reisner’s lab and the NanoPhotonics Centre (NPC) at the University of Cambridge, aims to address these challenges. The Reisner lab’s expertise in solar reforming and NPC’s advanced plasmonic cavities will underpin the development of core-shell plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) with tailored properties. By utilising gold, palladium, and exploring copper, nickel, and metal oxides, the project seeks to enhance catalytic performance and sustainability. Plasmonic nanomaterials will enable the harnessing of lower-energy visible to infrared light, broadening the usable light spectrum for catalytic transformations. The project will employ these NPs to drive catalytic transformations of plastic waste. Using photoelectrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, the study will investigate interactions between NPs and plastic molecules, track intermediates and products, and elucidate plasmonic redox properties. Aiming to tackle the challenging recycling of polystyrene (PS), the project will focus on breaking C–H and C–C bonds in PS to produce valuable feedstocks like benzoic acid and styrene. Initial efforts will target smaller compounds and shorter PS chains, with plans to eventually use longer chains and real PS waste. The project will emphasize sustainability by developing plasmonic nanomaterials from earth-abundant metals and oxides like magnesium and manganese oxide. By integrating plasmonics with catalytic processes, Plas2Cat seeks to revolutionize plastic upcycling and advance the circular economy.

Campo scientifico (EuroSciVoc)

Parole chiave

Programma(i)

Argomento(i)

Meccanismo di finanziamento

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Invito a presentare proposte

(si apre in una nuova finestra) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinatore

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Contributo netto dell'UE
€ 260 347,92
Indirizzo
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
Regno Unito
Regione
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Tipo di attività
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Collegamenti
Costo totale
Nessun dato