Virginia Tech Researchers Develop Method to Convert PVC Plastic Waste into High-Performance Engine Lubricant
Researchers at Virginia Tech, led by chemist and chemical engineer Guoliang 'Greg' Liu, have successfully developed a new method to transform polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic waste into polyalphaolefin, a key ingredient in high-performance lubricants like engine oil. This breakthrough, published in Nature, addresses the significant environmental challenge of recycling PVC, which is notoriously difficult due to its chlorine content and varied additives. The process involves placing PVC, similar to that found in plumbing, windows, and credit cards, into a solvent, then adding aluminum trichloride and alpha olefins. This mixture is heated to 158 degrees Fahrenheit for three hours, after which a thick oil, functioning as a lubricant, is extracted. This initiative builds upon previous work by Liu's team, which focused on converting other plastic waste types into surfactants for products such as soaps and detergents. The team, including graduate students Eric Munyaneza Nuwayo, Connor S. Thompson, and Abby Civiel... 
