Engineering Nanocatalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis‐Driven Plastic Reforming Toward Sustainable Hydrogen and Chemical Production: Navigating Waste Circularity Toward Socioeconomic Value Creation

Abstract Escalating plastic pollution demands innovative strategies that couple waste mitigation with clean energy generation. Artificial photosynthesis‐driven plastic reforming (APPR) has emerged as a solar‐powered “trash‐to‐treasure” approach aligned with the broader goals of circular economy and carbon neutrality, positioning it as a compelling frontier for converting plastics into green hydrogen and value‐added chemicals. This review examines advances in nanocatalyst engineering, emphasizing structure‐activity relationships that underpin photocatalytic efficiency across cocatalyst loading, heterojunction construction, lattice and structure engineering, and morphological engineering. The socioeconomic and sustainability dimensions of APPR are evaluated relative to alternative plastic upcycling technologies, offering a critical perspective on its real‐world potential in terms of product marketability and environmental footprint. Finally, forward‐looking strategies are presented to address translational challenges in bridging nanoscale catalyst innovations with macroscale APPR applications for carbon‐neutral hydrogen and marketable chemical production.