Mechanistic Understanding of Efficient Polyethylene Hydrocracking over Two‐Dimensional Platinum‐Anchored Tungsten Trioxide

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Chemical upcycling of polyethylene (PE) can convert plastic waste into valuable resources. However, engineering a catalyst that allows PE decomposition at low temperatures with high activity remains a significant challenge. Herein, we anchored 0.2 wt.% platinum (Pt) on defective two-dimensional tungsten trioxide (2D WO₃ ) nanosheets and achieved hydrocracking of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste at 200-250 °C with a liquid fuel (C₅₋₁₈ ) formation rate up to 1456 gproducts ⋅ gmetal species ⁻¹ ⋅ h⁻¹ . The reaction pathway over the bifunctional 2D Pt/WO₃ is elucidated by quasi-operando transmission infrared spectroscopy, where (I) well-dispersed Pt immobilized on 2D WO₃ nanosheets trigger the dissociation of hydrogen; (II) adsorption of PE and activation of C-C cleavage on WO₃ are through the formation of C=O/C=C intermediates; (III) intermediates are converted to alkane products by the dissociated H. Our study directly illustrates the synergistic role of bifunctional Pt/WO₃ catalyst in the hydrocracking of HDPE, paving the way for the development of high-performance catalysts with optimized chemical and morphological properties.