Mechanistic Understanding of Efficient Polyethylene Hydrocracking over Two-Dimensional Platinum-Anchored Tungsten Trioxide.

Chemical upcycling of polyethylene (PE) can convert plastic waste into valuable resources. However, engineering a catalyst that allows PE decomposition at low temperatures with high activity remains a significant challenge. Herein, we anchored 0.2 wt.% platinum (Pt) on defective two-dimensional tungsten trioxide (2D WO ) nanosheets and achieved hydrocracking of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste at 200-250 °C with a liquid fuel (C ) formation rate up to 1456 g  ⋅ g  ⋅ h . The reaction pathway over the bifunctional 2D Pt/WO is elucidated by quasi-operando transmission infrared spectroscopy, where (I) well-dispersed Pt immobilized on 2D WO nanosheets trigger the dissociation of hydrogen; (II) adsorption of PE and activation of C-C cleavage on WO are through the formation of C=O/C=C intermediates; (III) intermediates are converted to alkane products by the dissociated H. Our study directly illustrates the synergistic role of bifunctional Pt/WO catalyst in the hydrocracking of HDPE, paving the way for the development of high-performance catalysts with optimized chemical and morphological properties.