Upcycling of Polyolefins into Liquid Fuels via a Sequential Microwave Oxidation and Visible-Light Photocatalytic Strategy

The vast accumulation of polyolefin plastic waste presents a critical environmental challenge. Conventional depolymerization processes are often endothermic, energy-intensive, and nonselective, rendering them economically challenging. Here, we report the conversion of various polyolefins to high-value liquid fuels. A rapid microwave-assisted oxidation step, combined with a visible-light-mediated AuCoOx/GaN catalyst, enables this transformation. This streamlined sequential strategy represents a sustainable approach to plastic upcycling, applicable to mixed polymers and postconsumer single-use plastics without the need for presorting, thereby contributing to a circular carbon economy.