Reductive catalytic upcycling of polyethylene using 2-propanol as transfer hydrogen-donor source

Antonio Cosimo Pio Trimboli; Viviana Bressi; Emilia Paone; Riccardo Pellegrini; Paolo Lazzarini; Elena Groppo; Francesco Mauriello

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2026.116786

July 17, 2026iScienceOpen Access

Reductive catalytic upcycling of polyethylene using 2-propanol as transfer hydrogen-donor source

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Key Points

This research aims to explore the reductive upcycling of polyethylene using 2-propanol as a hydrogen-donor source.
Utilized a commercial Ru/Al2O3 catalyst under inert conditions.
Tested various hydrogen-donor alcohols to determine conversion rates of polyethylene.
Focused on C12–C20 liquid hydrocarbons as desirable products.
Achieved a 65% polyethylene conversion using 2-propanol.
Demonstrated high selectivity toward C12–C20 liquid hydrocarbons with minimal gas formation.
Showed that external molecular hydrogen is unnecessary for the process.

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Implication

Demonstrates high polyethylene conversion in presence of 2-propanol, indicating innovative recycling methods.

Abstract

The reductive upcycling of polyethylene (PE) promoted by a commercial Ru/Al 2 O 3 catalyst under an inert atmosphere in the presence of hydrogen-donor alcohols is reported. Among the alcohols tested, 2-propanol (2-PrOH) enabled the highest PE conversion (65%) indicating that external molecular hydrogen is not required under the applied conditions. The process affords high selectivity toward C 12 –C 20 liquid hydrocarbons with minimal gas formation. This previously unexplored approach applies transfer-hydrogenation concepts from biomass valorization to polyolefin upgrading, enabling efficient depolymerization without external molecular hydrogen.

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Trimboli et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a5c68af118b92953e3ed490 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.116786

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Reductive catalytic upcycling of polyethylene using 2-propanol as transfer hydrogen-donor source

Key Points

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Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Reductive catalytic upcycling of polyethylene using 2-propanol as transfer hydrogen-donor source

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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