February 23, 2025 – A groundbreaking advancement in plastic recycling technology has been achieved by Professor Chiyoung Park’s team at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in South Korea. The research findings, published in the esteemed “Chemical Engineering Journal,” introduce a novel catalytic technique that efficiently removes additives from plastics while simultaneously producing hydrogen, offering innovative solutions for plastic recycling and environmental preservation.
Traditional plastic recycling processes have long been hampered by the presence of additives, particularly flame retardants, which significantly impair the recyclability of plastics. Professor Park’s team took a unique approach by utilizing cyclodextrin (CD), a ring-shaped molecule extracted from natural sugars, as a key component. They successfully synthesized a new catalyst composed of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), fullerene (C₆₀), and cyclodextrin. Remarkably, this catalyst can be prepared quickly through a simple manual grinding process using the team’s distinctive mechanochemical mixing technique.
According to insights from the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, this innovative catalyst exhibits exceptional performance in accelerating hydrogen production and decomposing plastic additives. In practical applications, it precisely removes halogen-containing flame retardants, significantly enhancing the recycling rate of engineering plastics and providing an effective means of addressing historical plastic waste. Moreover, its simultaneous hydrogen production characteristic enables efficient resource recycling and utilization. The increased production of hydrogen is crucial for alleviating energy pressure and promoting the development of green energy.
Professor Park stated, “This research fully demonstrates the unique advantages of supramolecular chemistry in breaking through traditional industrial technology bottlenecks.” The team plans to further explore the application of MoS₂ catalysts in the field of environmental remediation, continuously tap into their potential, and strive to transition this technology from the laboratory stage to large-scale industrial application.
This research was collaboratively conducted by Professor Park’s team from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at DGIST, including PhD student Seokhyung Boo, integrated master’s student Wansoo Cho, and master’s graduate Chaewon Lee, along with Professor Hyojung Cha’s team from Kyungpook National University, including PhD student Gayoung Ham. The joint efforts of these researchers not only bring new hope for addressing plastic pollution and the energy crisis but also inject strong momentum into innovation and development in related fields. It is anticipated that this achievement will make even greater contributions to global sustainable development in the future.