Photoreforming for upcycling of plastics into energy, chemicals and materials: a review

Worldwide plastic pollution is a major heath and climate issue requiring the development of advanced recycling methods. Photoreforming is an emerging technique that use solar energy and catalysts to transform plastic waste into fuels, chemicals and materials. Here we review plastic photoreforming with focus on reaction mechanism, photocatalysts, and performance optimization. Photocatalysts include homogeneous and heterogeneous organic and inorganic compounds. Photocatalysts influence the reaction efficiency based on their morphology, structure and physicochemical properties. Homogeneous catalysts are more active, yet more expensive and difficult to separate. In contrast, heterogeneous catalysts are easily recovered and recycled.