Fighting Microplastics for a Cleaner Future.
At the forefront of combating environmental pollution, Dr. Manish Shetty is spearheading groundbreaking research aimed at breaking down microplastics and transforming them into usable fuel. With extensive expertise in chemical engineering, renewable energy, and catalysis, Dr. Shetty’s innovative approach is paving the way for sustainable waste management solutions and the development of green hydrogen technologies.
Microplastics—plastics smaller than 5 millimeters—are a significant environmental hazard. They pollute ecosystems, disrupt food chains, and contribute to global warming through the release of toxic chemicals. Recognizing the urgent need to address this issue, Dr. Shetty is focusing on breaking down these harmful plastics before they infiltrate the environment.
A Catalyst for Sustainability.
Central to Dr. Shetty’s research is the use of catalysts to break down condensation polymers, a specific class of plastics that includes commonly used materials like PET (polyethylene terephthalate) found in bottles, packaging, textiles, and 3D printing. By utilizing small amounts of solvents that double as hydrogen sources, his team has successfully converted these polymers into aromatic compounds that can serve as fuels.
“What we have done in this research is to break down condensation polymers to aromatic compounds that can be used as fuels,” explains Dr. Shetty. “We use organic compounds called liquid organic hydrogen carriers to store hydrogen and use that hydrogen to break down the polymers.”
Harnessing Hydrogen for Waste Management.
Dr. Shetty’s recent publication in Angewandte Chemie International Edition highlights how his team designed catalysts capable of utilizing stored hydrogen from organic carriers. These catalysts effectively break down PET into p-xylene, a valuable molecule that can be repurposed for chemicals or fuels.
“Our research offers a dual solution: managing waste efficiently while contributing to the sustainability of the chemical industry,” says Dr. Shetty. “These organic molecules transport hydrogen from where it’s generated to where it’s needed for waste management, particularly in urban environments where plastic waste is abundant.”
Towards a Green Hydrogen Economy.
The innovative process involves using methanol both as a solvent to fragment PET and as a hydrogen source to form p-xylene. Dr. Shetty envisions this research as a crucial step toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels and fostering a green hydrogen economy.
“One of the things that might happen is, as hydrogen becomes more available, especially green hydrogen through water electrolysis, we’ll need hydrogen carriers as a transport vector,” he explains. “This research demonstrates one potential application—waste management and valorization.”
By creating sustainable chemicals and optimizing waste management, Dr. Shetty’s work provides a scalable, eco-friendly solution to the growing challenge of microplastic pollution. It also underscores the importance of integrating innovative technologies into our efforts to build a cleaner, more sustainable future. MicroplasticSolutions.