6th Commonwealth Chemistry Posters

From Waste to Worth: Photocatalytic Transformation of Plastic Wastes into C2 Fuels via CO2 Reduction Pathway Using S-g-C₃N₄/Fe₂O₃

Zunaira Muhammad,¹ Muhammad Saeed,¹ Senem Çitoğlu,2 Hatice Duran,2 and Salman Noshear Arshad¹*

Plastic pollution is a critical global challenge. Their environmental persistence adversely affects both living and non-living components of the environment, contributing to 30% of marine life deaths. There is an urgent need for a sustainable plastic upcycling strategy, particularly with the challenges of chemically inert plastics.

Research objectives

1. S-g-C₃N₄/Fe₂O₃) with optimized band alignment

2. Enhance solar energy utilization by tuning optical properties

3. Improve selectivity toward desired products while minimizing unwanted by-products.

4. Evaluate performance under simulated real-world conditions using real plastic

Conclusion

We have developed an efficient photocatalyst for the reforming of PE, PS, and PET. The S-g-C₃N₄/Fe₂O₃ photocatalyst successfully oxidizes PE into acetic acid at room temperature and pressure without any pretreatment or oxidizing agent, achieving high selectivity. This research provides an environmentally friendly approach for PE photoreforming, offering potential applications in sustainable waste management and resource recovery.

6th Commonwealth Chemistry Posters

From Waste to Worth: Photocatalytic Transformation of Plastic Wastes into C2 Fuels via CO₂ Reduction Pathway Using S-g-C₃N₄/Fe₂O₃

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