Researchers are developing a process called solar-driven photoreforming to turn plastic waste into hydrogen and other usable fuel ingredients. By using photocatalysts and sunlight, the process breaks down stubborn plastic polymers at lower temperatures than traditional incineration. While the lab results show promise for creating syngas and liquid hydrocarbons, challenges remain for industrial scaling. Issues include catalyst durability and the difficulty of processing mixed, contaminated plastic waste in continuous-flow reactors.
