SINGAPORE — Researchers at the Nanyang Technological University this week said they have found a way to use sunlight to turn consumer plastic into a valuable chemical that could generate clean power. <br /><br />They reported their findings in the journal Advanced Science.<br /><br />Speaking in a university news release, the team said dissolved polyethylene in a solution that contained a vanadium-based catalyst.<br /><br />Vanadium is a metal commonly used in steel and aluminum alloys for vehicles and aircraft.<br /><br />The researchers exposed the solution to artificial sunlight, which breaks the carbon bonds in polyethylene and transforms the substance into formic acid.<br /><br />While other conversion methods exist, the scientists said their process does not use high heat or toxic substances to produce formic acid from plastics.<br /><br />They explained that formic acid is utilized for power generation in hydrogen fuel cells which could be a low-emissions source of clean energy.<br /><br />The researchers say they are working to scale up the technology to help Singapore to turn its plastic waste into energy resources without harming the environment.
