Work

Solvent‐ and Hydrogen‐Free Upcycling of Polystyrene by Layered Double Oxides

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Chemical upcycling of plastic waste into value‐added feedstocks holds great promise for advancing the circular economy, while confronting formidable challenges. Herein, we report a cost‐effective catalyst MgAl‐layered double oxide (MgAl‐LDO) for upcycling polystyrene (PS) into liquid fuel substitute components with rich styrene under solvent‐ and H 2 ‐free conditions. The operando characterizations and theoretical simulations demonstrate that the MgAl‐LDO, featuring rich basic sites (Mg─O), is favorable for efficient activation of C─H bonds and selective cleavage of C(sp 3 )‐C(sp 3 ) bonds. In particular, MgO in MgAl‐LDO affords a low barrier for the rate‐determining step for the formation of styrene while simultaneously suppressing the side reaction of further hydrogenation. As a result, the MgAl‐LDO achieves a liquid fuel yield of 59.5% with a styrene selectivity of 70.9% at 280°C. Further, the obtained styrene monomer was copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) to prepare high value‐added MMA‐styrene copolymer, which offers pivotal insights into advanced chemical upcycling strategies, facilitating the transition to a sustainable plastics economy and the reduction of environmental impacts.

Source: Small

DOI: 10.1002/smll.73855