Toward carbon neutrality: Single‐step polyethylene upcycling to <scp>BTX</scp> using Ni‐<scp>ZSM</scp>‐5 catalyst

Abstract Benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) are currently produced mainly through energy‐intensive naphtha reforming, with around half of the BTX output used for plastic production. Developing an efficient method to convert polyethylene (PE)—the most abundant plastic—into BTX is therefore critical for advancing the circular economy and achieving carbon neutrality. Here, we present a single‐step, hydrogen‐free, noble‐metal‐free catalytic process that converts waste PE into BTX with yields nearing 59%, using an unreduced Ni‐ZSM‐5 catalyst, outperforming previously reported noble‐metal or Ni‐based zeolite catalysts. The conversion of PE and long‐chain model compounds over Ni‐ZSM‐5 indicates a β‐scission pathway, as evidenced by the prominent formation of isobutene—an established β‐scission indicator. Upon Ni addition, the apparent activation energy for β‐scission decreases significantly, suggesting that Ni‐induced Lewis acidity promotes carbenium ion formation via hydride abstraction, the key step initiating β‐scission. This accelerates PE breakdown into smaller intermediates, which easily diffuse into ZSM‐5 micropores for further aromatization.

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Publication Details

Journal
AIChE Journal
Published
2025-05-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.18890
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Organometallic Complex Synthesis and Catalysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.74

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article

Toward carbon neutrality: Single‐step polyethylene upcycling to BTX using Ni‐ZSM‐5 catalyst

Kevin M. Van Geem, Guanghua Ye, Chun-Gu Xia, Xinggui Zhou et al.
4 citations
AIChE Journal
Organometallic Complex Synthesis and Catalysis
3.74
article

Toward carbon neutrality: Single‐step polyethylene upcycling to BTX using Ni‐ZSM‐5 catalyst

Kevin M. Van Geem, Guanghua Ye, Chun-Gu Xia, Xinggui Zhou, Xuezhi Duan, Xiang Feng, Gang Qian, Xiaohu Ge, Xinyu Tang, Yueqiang Cao, Wenyao Chen, Jing Zhang, Lina Li, Wenjie Wang, Zhihua Zhang, Jiaxing Zhang, Yao Shi, Xinwen Guo
article en
4 citations

Abstract

Abstract Benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) are currently produced mainly through energy‐intensive naphtha reforming, with around half of the BTX output used for plastic production. Developing an efficient method to convert polyethylene (PE)—the most abundant plastic—into BTX is therefore critical for advancing the circular economy and achieving carbon neutrality. Here, we present a single‐step, hydrogen‐free, noble‐metal‐free catalytic process that converts waste PE into BTX with yields nearing 59%, using an unreduced Ni‐ZSM‐5 catalyst, outperforming previously reported noble‐metal or Ni‐based zeolite catalysts. The conversion of PE and long‐chain model compounds over Ni‐ZSM‐5 indicates a β‐scission pathway, as evidenced by the prominent formation of isobutene—an established β‐scission indicator. Upon Ni addition, the apparent activation energy for β‐scission decreases significantly, suggesting that Ni‐induced Lewis acidity promotes carbenium ion formation via hydride abstraction, the key step initiating β‐scission. This accelerates PE breakdown into smaller intermediates, which easily diffuse into ZSM‐5 micropores for further aromatization.

AIChE JournalVol. 71(8)
Sinopec (China) (CN), East China University of Science and Technology (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Dalian University of Technology (CN), Ghent University (BE), Dalian University (CN), Shanghai Advanced Research Institute (CN), State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering (CN), China University of Petroleum, East China (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Organometallic Complex Synthesis and Catalysis
3.74
DOISourceOpenAlex
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