Photocatalysts for Converting Plastic Wastes into Hydrogen and Chemicals

R&D Focus Areas:
Biomass and waste conversion, Photochemical and photocatalytic processes

Lead Organisation:
University of Adelaide

Partners:
Not applicable

Status:
Active

Start date:
July 2023

Completion date:
June 2027

Key contacts:
Dr Jingrun Ran – jingrun.ran@adelaide.edu.au

Funding:
Australian Research Council – ARC Future Fellowships

Project total cost:
AUD$ 848,325 – ARC grant award

Project summary description:
The aim is to produce new fundamental science for sustainable production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals through a solar-driven photocatalytic approach using abundant plastic wastes and high-performance photocatalysts. A range of active, selective, robust and cheap photocatalysts will be developed for conversion processes at ambient temperatures and pressures, via an interdisciplinary approach combining atomic-level material design principles, in situ/ex situ characterisations and theoretical computations. Expected outcomes will be of high impact for solar energy use, and fuels/chemicals generation. Environmental impact will derive from consuming abundant plastic wastes; helping mitigate plastic contamination of global concern.

 Related publications and key links:
Not at this stage.

Higher degree studies supported:
To be finalised.

 

October 2023