Materials challenges and opportunities to address growing micro/nanoplastics pollution: a review of thermochemical upcycling

The Need for Flexible Chemical Synthesis and How Dual-Function Materials Can Pave the Way

“…This means that with the global H 2 demand being at 90 Mt in 2020, only 0.09 Mt were produced via water electrolysis that year. Moreover, it is worth noting that valid concerns have been raised regarding the fresh H 2 O availability, especially due to microplastic pollution, and the environmental implication of water electrolysis. − Perhaps alternatives based on biohydrogen production, i.e., from biomass and biowaste, should also play a significant role in meeting the needs for green hydrogen production on a large scale. , The variability of the energy mix and the availability of green hydrogen as well as the costs of innovative green technologies pose risks to the development of CO 2 utilization plants in the near future. − …”

Charting a path to catalytic upcycling of plastic micro/nano fiber pollution from textiles to produce carbon nanomaterials and turquoise hydrogen

“…Finally, by 2025, all new washing machines in France will be required to include a lter to catch plastic microbres from garments. [11][12][13] In December 2019, the European Commission announced the European Green Deal (EGD) to make Europe the rst climateneutral continent by 2050. 11,12 In 2015 all United Nations Member States agreed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is directed at achieving peace and prosperity for people and the planet.…”

“…The hydrogen produced by pyrolysis of textile micro/nano bers may be classied as turquoise hydrogen since it is produced by thermal breakdown of plastics/biomass while producing minimal emissions. 13,17 In addition, hydrogen has numerous industrial applications, is considered a clean fuel, is central to future energy scenarios and can be utilised to provide some of the energy necessary in the pyrolysis via a low emission fuel. 18 The global scope of the problem and the urgent need for progress necessitate ambitious collaborative efforts among fundamental scientic research, engineering development, industries, governments, and computational studies to accelerate research and develop and optimize promising processes leading to viable circular economy solutions.…”

“…14 As legislative efforts are underway and debates are sparked on how to manage and collect this emerging micro/nano waste, it is also necessary to consider how it will be ensured that the collected plastics are not released back to the environment (through landfills for example) or contribute to climate change through their uncontrolled combustion. 13…”

“…Other types of carbon materials can also potentially be targeted with this technology, such as graphite, graphene, carbon fibers, and amorphous carbon. 13 This approach would transform harmful waste materials into useful product, while keeping carbon in the solid phase (avoiding greenhouse gas emissions). The hydrogen produced by pyrolysis of textile micro/nano fibers may be classified as turquoise hydrogen since it is produced by thermal breakdown of plastics/biomass while producing minimal emissions.…”