Coupling Polyolefin Conversion and Methanol Reduction for C₉-C₁₀ Alkylaromatic Production.

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Polyethylene (PE) is a major plastic waste contributor.
• Efficient upgrading of polyolefins into valuable chemicals remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a strategy for integrating PE aromatization and Friedel-Crafts-type alkylation via methanol reduction.
• To upgrade PE into high-aromatics liquid products using a bifunctional catalyst.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a bifunctional NiGa/ZSM-5-H catalyst for polyethylene upgrading.
• Integrated PE aromatization, methanol reduction, and Friedel-Crafts-type alkylation.
• Optimized reaction conditions at 280 °C with methanol addition.

Main Results:

• Achieved 79.0 wt% liquid yield with 56.1 wt% aromatics from PE upgrading.
• Boosted C9-C10 alkylaromatics yields by over 600% using methanol.
• Doubled aromatic and C9-C10 alkylaromatics yields with methanol addition.

Conclusions:

• The developed strategy enables efficient PE upgrading into valuable liquid fuels.
• The bifunctional catalyst and coupled reactions offer a practical route for plastic waste processing.
• This approach provides a sustainable method for converting polyolefins into high-value chemicals.