The world’s rising pollution levels continue to drive demand for low-cost recycling services. Sadly, plastic pollutants don’t break down in landfills like other waste, leading to massive buildups across the globe. Thankfully, a group of innovative engineers released a study this month demonstrating an innovative laser-based system that makes repurposing plastic waste more efficient. Here’s what you need to know.
Plastic Pollution
The world needs some sustainable solutions to plastic waste management. Plastics are notoriously hard to break down, and due to this, they often end up sitting in landfills or garbage piles, where they slowly decay and destroy the environment. These pollutants continue to emerge in drinking water, animals, and other crucial points along the food chain.
Repurposing Plastic Study
The latest research delves into using lasers to help break down the chemical bonds that make plastic harmful and take so long to degrade into the environment. The report demonstrates how these lasers can decompose specific molecules in the plastic, enabling them to be repurposed as reusable substances. Specifically, the team created luminescent carbon dots (CDs) that were captured on solid substrates using a process called C-H activation.
Repurposing Plastic Becomes Easier with the Help of Lasers
The researchers selected cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) as the first target for the laser breakdown method. The team chose CTAC due to specific characteristics, including its carbon-clean structure. Additionally, it’s common in nanomaterial composition and can retain a solid form without requiring much atmospheric adjustment.
C-H Activation
C-H activation is a revolutionary chemical process that enables scientists to break down carbon-hydrogen bonds in an organic molecule. These bonds can be specifically targeted based on their composition, enabling them to be selectively synthesized into fundamental components like CDs that can be reused.
The C-H activation process introduces low-power light rays at specific intervals and frequencies. These light rays break down the chemical bonds that make plastic nonbiodegradable and form new bonds. Specifically, the study examines how to break down organic long-chain quaternary ammonium surfactants into luminescent CDs, opening the door for new opportunities in various fields, including pollution reduction, material science, organic chemistry, and biomedics.
Carbon-Based Nanomaterials
Carbon-based nanomaterials are the ideal product to convert waste plastic into for many reasons. For one, this material can be used to create high-end electronic components, including chipboards, memory storage devices, and other crucial elements of the computer economy. They are in high demand and required for today’s high-tech devices.
Density Functional Theory (DFT) Calculations
The researchers developed a variation of the density functional theory calculation to predict the conversion process and fine-tune the amount of light and frequencies used. According to the engineers, the DFT calculations relied on VASP code, for which valence electrons are accounted via the Kohn-Sham wave functions in a plane-wave basis set. This approach enabled the team to determine errors and defects in the process without the need to rerun tests. Specifically, they were able to determine how oxidized states and errors affect the H adsorption and C–H activation processes.
Testing Phase
The scientist began testing by creating a thin layer of solid CTAC. This layer was then coated by a monolayer WSe2. Notably, this coating was grown specifically for the experiment using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The layers, referred to as transition metal dichalcogenides, facilitate the chemical reaction once exposed to the irradiation of a low-power continuous-wave laser. Notably, the team used various lasers ranging in power from ~0.2–5 mW.
The laser enables the CTAC molecules to begin WSe2-mediated C–H bond activation, resulting in a C=C bond formation and H molecules converting to a gas state. Notably, the team integrated D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) layers, drastically reducing the energy needed for marble carbon molecules to bond and converting waste into CDs.
Monitoring Changes
The engineers attempted the process under several different lighting scenarios. Notably, a Nikon TiE inverted microscope, using a ×100 oil objective lens, and a halogen white light source rated at 12 V, 100 W made the experiment possible. Additionally, the team used a dark-field condenser (NA 1.20–1.43) to achieve successful tracking of laser irradiation.
The lasers used included a Coherent, Genesis MX STM-1 W continuous-wave 660 nm laser (Laser Quantum). Interestingly, the engineers expanded the beam to make it more efficient using a Thorlabs GBE05-A which was directed using the microscope during the tests.
Results Show Promise for a Greener Future
The results of the study are enough to get the industry excited. Specifically, the team succeeded in converting the long-chain quaternary ammonium surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC, C19H42ClN) into luminescent CDs on 2d WSe2 monolayers in an organized and spatially-resolved pattern. The process was optimized and can be integrated immediately to help reduce plastic waste.
To ensure the process was completed efficiently, scientists monitored the developments using a near-field nanoscale Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (nano-FTIR). They noted a prominent absorption band at ~1660 cm−1. This range increased the efficiency of C=C bonds in CDs. Additionally, the team used Raman spectra and mapping via the Renishaw system to track progress. Notably, the Raman spectrum revealed that the team completed the conversion from waste into CDs.
Benefits
There are a lot of benefits that this study provides. Plastic pollutants are a major issue that already affects the lives of millions of people yearly. The ability to synthesize functional organic complexes and environmental pollutants like fossil fuel waste into renewable chemicals opens the door for a more circular economy in which waste becomes valuable products repeatedly.
More Efficient
One of the biggest benefits of this process is that it’s more efficient than any current method. The techniques used today require lots of energy, are expensive, and can result in additional damage to the environment. As such, this approach opens the door for cleaner recycling of these waste materials.
Flexible
Another huge benefit of this research is that it can be applied to a range of chemical pollutants that currently plague the environment. Researchers have stated that the process will work on a massive selection of long-chain organic compounds. As such, this strategy could be implemented globally to combat a growing selection of wastes, including polyethylene and surfactants.
Researchers
The plastic pollutants study brought together some of the brightest minds from across the academic and scientific sectors. The project was co-authored by Jingang Li and included help from researchers from the University of California, Tohoku University in Japan, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, and Baylor University and. Funding for the study came from the National Institutes of Health, the Hirose Foundation, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Science Foundation, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Applications
There are many applications for this tech. The ability to reduce plastic waste has gone from a concern to a paramount risk that requires immediate and constant attention. This latest discovery helps reduce these risks by turning plastic waste into valuable and reusable CDs. As such, there are near-endless applications in the fields of photonic materials, organic chemistry, and environmental remediation.
Companies That Can Benefit From This Study
When you examine the market, it’s easy to see that multiple firms could benefit from integrating this tech immediately. These companies have long pioneered waste management, recycling, and environmental remedies. As such, they provide a unique opportunity for traders to gain exposure to a fast-paced and growing sector.
1. Waste Management 
Waste Management entered the market in 1987 seeking to provide the community with a better way to dispose of wasteful materials, The company quickly expanded its operations to include recycling services. Today, this Texas-based firm is one of the leading providers of these services.
As the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services, Waste management is positioned wisely. It’s a major operation that has +28K employees. The company has made breakthroughs in recycling, waste management, renewable energy, and other crucial markets. Notably, it listed +$20.69B in revenue in 2023.
Traders can consider WCN a strong “buy.” It’s the leading developer, owner, and operator of landfill-gas-to-energy services in the US. As such, the stock has overperformed and currently shows a 5-year return of +107.63%. Notably, the stock is up +2,137% since its IPO.
2. Waste Connections
Waste Connections entered the market in 1997. Originally based out of California, the company moved to Texas as part of its strategy to better serve the nation. Today, Waste Collections employs +19K professionals and is a leading provider of waste collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling services in the US.
Notably, Waste Connections could see a massive boost in capabilities and revenue if it were to successfully integrate the new laser plastic recycling systems put forth by researchers. This upgrade would allow the company to create additional revenue by offering CDs to clients.
Waste collections have a market cap of + $46.85B. The company is on a strong “hold” due to its positioning and several high-level acquisitions it’s completed over the years. Those seeking a stable stock with strong upside potential should consider Waste Connections.
The Statistics Paint a Dark Picture
Plastic revolutionized the way the world does commerce and remains a crucial element of daily life. This helpful material has seen considerable use with experts citing exponential growth since its introduction in 1950. Unfortunately, much of this plastic remains in waste. According to environmental studies, the world introduces 2M tons of plastic pollutants to the environment yearly, adding to the 7B metric tons already in circulation.
It’s easy to see where these pollutants enter the market. Studies have shown that up to 50% of plastic waste originates from one-time-use packaging. Worst of all, analysts predict pollution levels will rise sharply in the coming years, increasing health and environmental risks sharply. Sadly, this situation has led to some dire consequences.
Oceans Suffer
The oceans are especially susceptible to these pollutants. Sadly, 75-99 tons of plastic makes its way to the ocean, where it remains, creating massive garbage islands that leach off deadly pollutants. At the current pace, humans create 33 Billion pounds of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean yearly. This latest development could help alleviate these concerns and help usher in a more sustainable economy.
Biggest Polluters Globally
It shouldn’t be surprising to learn that not every country is equally responsible for the waste issue. As you would expect, the main contributors are all nations with massive economic and manufacturing sectors. In 2023, China led the pack with approximately 59,079,741 metric tons of waste. The US followed in a close second with 37,825,550 tons. Germany, Brazil, and Japan are also top contributors, albeit at a much smaller scale than China and the US.
A Team Effort
The demand to reduce plastic waste has led several research teams across the globe to put forth concepts. These ideas span the gamut from sending waste off the planet to repurposing it for use in today’s advanced electronics. One interesting study found that styrofoam waste could be broken down and used to create valuable electronic components. Styrofoam, like plastic waste, is a huge issue due to its long breakdown life and the danger it introduces to wildlife.
Regulations
Another vital factor to consider is the growing regulatory pushback. Lawmakers have recognized that the current scenario isn’t sustainable. The massive use of one-time plastics and other factors have led to a need to make major changes. As such, new legislation has been introduced globally. For example, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland implemented one-time use bans in 2023. Now, California is seeking to make manufacturers responsible for cleaning up their plastic waste.
Repurposing Plastic Waste and Making the World Safer
Taking plastic waste, which has caused irreparable damage to the environment, and repurposing it into valuable CDs makes perfect sense. The development could have immediate and long-standing precautions in the industry. For now, this team of engineers deserves recognition for their discovery that has the potential to help save millions of lives moving forward.
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