Pilot-Scale Photoreforming of Hydrolyzed Polylactic Acid Waste to High-Value Chemicals and H2 via Atomic Ru Integration

Abstract

Photoreforming of polylactic acid (PLA) waste into valuable chemicals offers a promising approach for environmental protection and waste valorization, yet faces challenges of low yields and harsh conditions. Herein, a Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanotwin catalyst decorated with Ru single atoms and clusters is reported, enabling selective photoreforming of PLA into pyruvic acid (PA) and H2. It is demonstrated that Ru single atoms favor PA formation via hydroxyl dissociation, while the further incorporation of Ru clusters serve as active sites for H2 production. This synergistic effect significantly enhances photocatalytic performance, achieving 96.8% PA selectivity and efficient H2 production with a record-breaking apparent quantum efficiency of 83.7% at 400 nm. This approach is scalable for outdoor processes, utilizing direct 1 m2 sunlight irradiation to deliver ≈1191 mL h−1 of H2 and 47.27 mmol h−1 of PA from PLA waste, paving a viable pathway for large-scale simultaneous production of high-value chemicals and H2.