New Catalyst Converts Plastic Waste Components to Formate
The research-stage catalyst reaches 86.37% efficiency by utilizing ruthenium atoms on nickel oxide nanosheets.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Chemistry
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Researchers have developed a catalyst that converts ethylene glycol, a byproduct of waste PET plastic, into formate. Published on October 5, 2026, in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, this research-stage process utilizes a novel atomic structure to facilitate the chemical transformation.
Why it matters
The process addresses the difficulty of isolating ethylene glycol from water during plastic recycling. By converting this byproduct into a usable chemical, the technology aims to improve the efficiency and economic viability of PET recycling workflows.
The catalyst achieved an 86.37% Faradaic efficiency, maintaining this performance across 12 consecutive 25-hour runs for a total of 300 hours of stability. This system outperforms traditional methods by utilizing ruthenium atoms anchored onto nickel oxide nanosheets to stabilize reaction intermediates.
The players
Korea Basic Science Institute
A South Korean government-funded research center specializing in advanced analytical instrumentation and fundamental scientific development.
Gyeongsang National University
A South Korean research university focused on chemical engineering and materials science applications.
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
A technical research institution providing computational modeling and theoretical analysis for materials chemistry.
The details
The catalyst works by anchoring ruthenium—a rare platinum-group metal—onto nickel oxide nanosheets using a CO2 laser. This interface stabilizes key intermediates, allowing the reaction to strip hydrogen atoms from ethylene glycol while cleaving carbon-carbon bonds. Researchers analyzed the catalyst surface using a hybrid secondary ion mass spectrometer, a device that uses a focused ion beam to map the elemental composition of material surfaces.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: Results were published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
October 22, 2026: The Korea Basic Science Institute announced the development.
The Tech Race
This development follows an active research program focused on the electrochemical conversion of plastic waste into value-added chemicals. It sits alongside other single-atom catalyst efforts that seek to replace expensive, traditional precious metal configurations with more stable, interface-engineered materials.
This research is currently at the laboratory stage and provides no immediate changes for waste management systems or industrial recycling facilities. Practical implementation depends on future studies assessing the catalyst's durability in actual, non-lab-grade plastic waste streams.
The takeaway
The research team plans to adapt their atomic-anchoring approach to evaluate other eco-friendly catalysts for industrial applications. Watch for follow-up studies regarding the scalability of this ruthenium-nickel interface compared to current commercial standards.
Further reading
For broader trends in molecular transformation, see the latest research in Chemistry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dongascience.
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