Post-consumer paper cups to hydrogen and functional catalytic material

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Post-consumer paper cups (PCPC) with polyethylene (PE) linings represent a significant waste stream.
• Efficient conversion of waste materials into valuable products is crucial for a circular economy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a catalytic hydrothermal technique for converting PCPC into hydrogen-rich fuel gas.
• To synthesize value-added nickel-decorated carbon composites (NDCC).
• To investigate the influence of operating parameters on PCPC degradation and product yield.

Main Methods:

• Catalytic hydrothermal gasification of PCPC using nickel as a catalyst.
• Optimization of temperature, residence time, and nickel concentration.
• Characterization of synthesized NDCC using FESEM and TEM.
• Testing the catalytic activity of NDCC for glucose degradation.

Main Results:

• Maximum H2 yield of 9.71 mmol/g, total gas yield of 23.79 mmol/g, CGE of 38.27%, and LHV of 2994 KJ/Nm³ achieved at 600°C, 40 min, and 0.3 wt% Ni.
• Nickel doping enhanced H2 yield by 1.8 times and other yields by ~1.7 times compared to deionized water.
• Synthesized NDCC exhibited a cubical structure (40 nm particles) and retained catalytic activity for 7 cycles in glucose degradation.

Conclusions:

• The catalytic hydrothermal technique effectively converts PCPC into hydrogen-rich fuel gas and NDCC.
• Nickel plays a crucial role in enhancing PCPC degradation via catalytic water-gas shift and cracking reactions.
• The synthesized NDCC is a promising catalyst for producing hydrogen-rich fuel gas from biomass (glucose).