Photocatalytic upcycling of polylactic acid to alanine by sulfur vacancy-rich cadmium sulfide
Tianjin University · National University of Singapore · +1 more institution
Abstract
Photocatalytic conversion has emerged as a promising strategy for harnessing renewable solar energy in the valorization of plastic waste. However, research on the photocatalytic transformation of plastics into valuable nitrogen-containing chemicals remains limited. In this study, we present a visible-light-driven pathway for the conversion of polylactic acid (PLA) into alanine under mild conditions. This process is catalyzed by defect-engineered CdS nanocrystals synthesized at room temperature. We observe a distinctive volcano-shaped relationship between sulfur vacancy content in CdS and the corresponding alanine production rate reaching up to 4.95 mmol/g catalyst/h at 70 oC. Ultraviolet-visible, photocurrent,…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 20.82
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 88
Authors
10Topics & keywords
- Alanine
- Cadmium sulfide
- Sulfur
- Photocatalysis
- Cadmium
- Sulfide
- Chemistry
- Vacancy defect