Yale Scientists Develop Catalyst-Free Method to Convert Plastic Waste into Fuel

Researchers at Yale University have developed an innovative, chemical-free method to convert plastic waste into usable fuels and chemicals, offering a sustainable solution to global pollution. Led by Professors Liangbing Hu and Shu Hu, the team employed a heat-driven process known as pyrolysis, which decomposes plastics without catalysts—materials typically used to accelerate chemical reactions but often costly and short-lived. Their approach utilizes a specially designed 3D-printed carbon reactor featuring a series of progressively smaller pores. This structure ensures complete breakdown of larger molecules, enhances process efficiency, and minimizes coking issues that often hinder traditional methods. The system achieved a remarkable conversion rate of nearly 66% of polyethylene waste into valuable chemicals, with a simpler version also converting over 56%, indicating potential for large-scale application. Professor Shu Hu emphasized the significance of this low-cost, catalyst-free technique in advancing plastic recycling efforts. The study, published in Nature Chemical Engineering, suggests a promising future where plastic waste can be transformed into energy resources, contr...