Controlling Product Distribution of Polyethylene Hydrogenolysis Using Bimetallic RuM<sub>3</sub> (M = Fe, Co, Ni) Catalysts
Yong Yuan, Zhenhua Xie, Kevin K. Turaczy, Sooyeon Hwang, Jiahua Zhou, Jingguang G. Chen
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Plastic hydrogenolysis is an attractive approach for producing value-added chemicals due to its mild reaction conditions, but controlling product distribution is challenging due to the formation of undesired CH 4. This work reports several bimetallic RuM 3 /CeO 2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts that shift the product of low-density polyethylene hydrogenolysis toward longer-chain hydrocarbons. These catalysts were characterized by using X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, electron microscopy imaging, and H 2 temperature-programmed reduction. The combined catalytic evaluation and characterization results revealed that the product distribution was regulated by the formation of bimetallic alloys. A model compound, n -hexadecane, was selected to further understand the differences in hydrogenolysis over the Ru-based catalysts. Although a longer reaction time shifted the product toward smaller molecules, the bimetallic (RuCo 3 /CeO 2 ) catalyst limited the further conversion of C2–C5 into CH 4 . This work highlights the role of bimetallic alloys in tailoring the interaction with hydrocarbons, thereby controlling the product distribution of polymer hydrogenolysis.