Highly Selective Gasoline Production by Polyethylene Hydrogenolysis Using Ternary RuNiPt Nanoalloy Catalyst
Duanxing Li1, Ryosuke Tsuzuki1, Shinya Furukawa1
1Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Osaka, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
JACS Au
|May 1, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel RuNiPt nanoalloy catalyst for efficient plastic recycling. The catalyst selectively converts polyethylene into valuable gasoline-range hydrocarbons, minimizing methane byproduct formation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Catalytic recycling of polyolefins is crucial for waste plastic transformation.
- Achieving high gasoline selectivity is challenging due to overcracking and methane formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly selective catalyst for polyolefin hydrogenolysis into gasoline-range hydrocarbons.
- To investigate the synergistic effects in a ternary nanoalloy catalyst for plastic upcycling.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a ternary RuNiPt nanoalloy catalyst.
- Hydrogenolysis of polyethylene using the developed catalyst.
- Analysis of liquid hydrocarbon products and methane generation.
Main Results:
- The RuNiPt catalyst achieved 90% liquid selectivity and 67% gasoline-range hydrocarbon yield at 94% polyethylene conversion.
- Minimal methane generation was observed, indicating suppression of cascade reactions.
- The catalyst demonstrated broad applicability across various polyolefins.
Conclusions:
- The RuNiPt nanoalloy catalyst enables highly selective plastic upcycling into valuable liquid fuels.
- Synergistic effects between Ru-Ni and Ru-Pt sites are key to achieving high activity and selectivity.
- This work provides insights for designing advanced multialloy catalysts for plastic waste valorization.
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