Scientists Develop Solar-Powered System to Convert Plastic Waste into Hydrogen Fuel
Researchers at Cambridge have developed a novel solar-powered system capable of converting polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles into hydrogen fuel and other useful chemicals. This innovative process addresses the dual challenges of plastic waste accumulation and the demand for green hydrogen. The method involves grinding plastic into small bits, mixing it with potassium hydroxide, and heating it for three days to break down the PET into ethylene glycol. The resulting liquid solution is then fed into a solar panel reactor, which, instead of generating electricity, facilitates a chemical reaction called photoreforming. A photocatalyst coating on the panels absorbs sunlight to produce hydrogen. Initial tests with small panels were successful, leading to the construction and testing of a 10.8-square-foot outdoor reactor, confirming the process's scalability for hydrogen production from PET. This development offers a potential solution for generating low-emissions hydrogen, which is currently in hig...
