Catalysts and Plastics: From Degradation to Functional Applications

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 860

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
Interests: plastic recycling; chemoenzymatic tandem; enzyme immobilization; carbon materials; process engineering

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Guest Editor
College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
Interests: solid acid catalysts; zeolites synthesis; waste plastic upcycling; hydrocarbons transformation; photocatalysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The accumulation of plastic waste presents a critical global environmental challenge, driving the need for advanced catalytic strategies that not only degrade plastics but also transform them into valuable products. Recent innovations have moved beyond traditional thermal pathways to explore advanced catalytic technologies, including biocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis.

This Special Issue highlights innovative research on advanced catalysts and catalytic processes for plastic depolymerization and upcycling. We invite submissions involving the design and synthesis of novel catalysts (such as single-atom, nanostructured catalysts, or engineered enzymes), the development of novel transformation pathways for synthesizing high-value products (such as chemicals, new polymers, or functional carbon materials), and the construction of innovative catalytic systems, particularly tandem or hybrid processes that synergistically combine different catalytic technologies. Additionally, mechanism studies and advanced characterization of catalytic processes are also welcome.

We look forward to receiving your original research and reviews that advance our understanding and application of catalysis for a sustainable future for plastics.

Assoc. Prof. Xiaoli Zhou
Prof. Dr. Jing Ding
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • plastic degradation
  • chemical recycling
  • catalysis design
  • high-value products synthesis
  • tandem catalysis
  • catalysis mechanism

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

34 pages, 2511 KB  
Review
Advanced ZnO Nanorods and Metal–Organic Frameworks for Sustainable Photocatalytic Microplastic Degradation
by Mani Sivakumar, Ganeshraja Ayyakannu Sundaram and Junhu Wang
Catalysts 2026, 16(5), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16050447 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 375
Abstract
The increasing presence of microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial food chains calls for the need to come up with innovative and effective remediation approaches. Such innovations as zinc oxide (ZnO) structures and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are examined as the second generation of [...] Read more.
The increasing presence of microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial food chains calls for the need to come up with innovative and effective remediation approaches. Such innovations as zinc oxide (ZnO) structures and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are examined as the second generation of photocatalysts for degrading microplastics under sunlight. We will focus on the latest advances and discuss the structure of photocatalytic processes, their functioning under various light conditions, and their environmental impacts, especially environmental safety and ecotoxicity. ZnO structures are even better photocatalysts because they form reactive oxygen species (ROS) as good as other metal oxides. However, their possible cytotoxicity and the ability to generate oxidative stress require serious evaluation. MOFs, on the contrary, offer physicochemical properties, environmental safety, ecotoxicity, and environmentally friendly synthesis pathways, making them a worthy substitute. The review underscores the urgency of incorporating environmental safety and ecotoxicity into the design of photocatalysts, thereby unlocking their full potential while avoiding environmental or human health risks. Moving forward in the field of sustainable nanotechnology to remove microplastics will provide the way to come up with green innovations and hence guarantee the effectiveness of combating plastic pollution in long-term stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysts and Plastics: From Degradation to Functional Applications)
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