In constructing a process and device that uses a photochemistry to break down or rather transform plastics into useful byproducts such as water and hydrogen, it becomes necessary to delve into of course photonics, chemistry, physics, earth science and of course experimentation, application of the concepts in a learn-by-doing style. Climate action is of course paramount in the world right now. I was not exposed to this future-now approach in school, but this way of learning within goal driven context and purpose has been not only effective but also really enjoyable. I’ve no doubt been influenced by my experiences and interactions with MIT in the past couple of years, including this being part of this year’s MIT Solve Climate Adaptation Challenge. MIT’s motto is “Mens Et Manus,” mind and hands — that is to bring the knowledge one gains into practice.
The photocatalytic process for a ‘trash can of the future’ I’m fun-lovingly calling the ‘Black Pearl’ for now, as I found a stainless steel 3d model of the ship while I was first beginning to run tests and the first iteration was in a galvanized steel trunk. It has a rebellious and novel aura to it, especially given I am not currently attached to any research institution and represent my own multimedia company. Given my love of art and science, it feels like the most natural thing in the world to explore life and the way it works. The most important part of this to me is to make it work, not whether I am conforming to all the exact social codes by not being enrolled in a graduate program or whether I am offending anyone’s sensibilities with my natural inquisitiveness, for whatever silly reason — an eventual working device like this would represent one major solution to a global problem: trash, specifically plastic waste, which has adversely effected worldwide eco- systems and public health.
Okay, let’s get into it.
The exploration here is of plausible potential non-combustible pathways from plastic to water, given the right conditions. I’ve seen it start working with PET and PETE in the presence of relatively slow flashing UV black lights on the half second.
What does that mean? It means favorable redox or oxidation-reduction reactions, under certain conditions, and here, light irradiation.
The general hypothetical chemical formula at this stage is:
C10H8O4 (PET) + nH2O + UV light + Catalyst -> xH2 + yH2O
Here is a longer pathway:
C10H8O4 (PET) + nH2O + UV light + Catalyst ->
resulting in
C6H12O6 (sugar) + C2H4O2 (acetic acid) + H2 (hydrogen gas) + H2O (water)
So at this stage the byproducts are sugar, vinegar, hydrogen and water.
The possible further transformation of sugar is as follows:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O
And for acetic acid:
C2H4O2 + 2O2 -> 2CO2 + 2H2O
Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons between reactants. Within this context of PET degradation, one can optimize redox reactions to break down the polymer chains and produce simpler molecules by photoexcitation. I don’t think it’s too much to request, so to speak, to ask for the default building blocks of life.
Another potential to possibly consider in this project is the “triple point” of substances — the temperature and pressure at which the solid, liquid, and gas phases of the substance coexist in equilibrium! By utilizing the conditions near the triple point of PET, that could potentially facilitate its decomposition into water and hydrogen gas.
The formulas will necessarily be modified as I go along and introduce different variables and how one gets from A to B or A to C! Electron exchange is important and regulating to find the pathways.
Most recently, I tested polypropylene with both steady and flashing lights, but that did not yield visible results. It’ll be necessary to get much more specific of course in optimizing the light configurations, materials and conditions. There’s a lot to choose from, so it’s important to analyze what would work best and most efficiently, and then test the candidates. For now, the home testing may actually prove beneficial in minimal but possibly mighty modifications.
Ultimately, the water and hydrogen gas produced could be separated and purified using techniques such as condensation, filtration, or distillation. Being valuable, the separated byproducts can then be stored and used for different applications.
Going forward with testing — light intensity, reaction conditions, other catalysts such as metal oxides, and the specific mechanisms will be examined, considered and selectively implemented, and safety first and foremost, to produce non toxic sustainable results.
I am also considering sonic modulation, using molecular weight to resonance conversions.