Plastic waste pyrolysis ash converted to flash graphene – USA

Plastic waste pyrolysis ash converted to flash graphene – USA

Posted on February 16, 2021 by DrRossH in Plastic Waste News

Source: Plastic waste pyrolysis ash converted to flash graphene

Plastic waste pyrolysis ash converted to flash graphene

Chemists from Rice University in Texas have converted pyrolysed ash from plastic recycling into graphene using a Joule heating process. The graphene could be used to strengthen concrete and toughen plastics used in medicine, energy and packaging applications.

“This work enhances the circular economy for plastics,” Tour said.

“So much plastic waste is subject to pyrolysis in an effort to convert it back to monomers and oils. The monomers are used in repolymerisation to make new plastics, and the oils are used in a variety of other applications. But there is always a remaining 10% to 20% ash that’s valueless and is generally sent to landfills.