CONVERSION OF POLYOLEFINS TO LIGHT OLEFINS WITH BASE-METAL HETEROGENOUS CATALYSTS

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Patent Pending

Brief Description

The disposal and recycling of polyolefins (like polyethylene and polypropylene) present a significant environmental and economic challenge, as current recycling methods are often costly and energy-intensive, or result in lower-value products. UC Berkeley researchers have developed innovative methods for converting polyolefins into valuable light olefins such as propylene and isobutylene. This innovation uses base-metal heterogeneous catalysts to convert polyethylene into propylene and a C3 to C30 alkene, and to convert polypropylene into a high-yield mixture of propylene and isobutylene. A key advantage of this method is the ability to achieve high conversion yields at significantly lower reaction temperatures compared to existing technologies, offering a more efficient and sustainable route to upcycle plastic waste into high-demand chemical feedstocks.

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