Every year, the world produces more than 460 million tonnes of plastic. The material's resistance to degradation is a growing concern. However, a new chemical method can now turn waste plastic into aviation fuel. This process might be a low-cost solution to plastic pollution.
Chinese researchers developed this technology. They used a catalystcatalyst/ˈkætəlɪst/L2催化剂a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being changed itself made of nickel and cobalt. This catalyst breaks down polyolefins, which are a common type of plastic waste. Polyolefins make up more than 60 percent of all plastic trash. The process turns them into hydrocarbons that are perfect for jet fuel. As a result, the method achieved a liquid yieldyield/jiːld/L2产量，产出the amount of product obtained from a process of 82.3 percent.
The new process has several advantages. Nickel and cobalt are cheap and easy to find. This is important for large-scale use. The catalyst is very good at steering the reaction towards the right hydrocarbons. When the process uses renewablerenewable/rɪˈnjuːəbəl/L2可再生的able to be replaced naturally and not run out energy, it can cut greenhouse gas emissionsemissions/ɪˈmɪʃənz/L2排放物gases or substances released into the air by 80 percent. However, there are still challenges. The method only works in a laboratory right now. Scientists must find a way to use it in big reactors. Impuritiesimpurities/ɪmˈpjʊrɪtiz/L2杂质substances that are not pure and can cause damage in the plastic waste can also damage the catalyst.
