Published on 29 April 2026

Scientists are advancing a promising solution to two of the world’s biggest challenges – plastic pollution and clean energy – by transforming waste plastics into valuable fuels using sunlight.

A new paper led by Adelaide University PhD candidate Xiao Lu explores how solar-powered technologies can convert discarded plastics into hydrogen, syngas and other useful industrial chemicals, offering a pathway toward a more sustainable, circular economy.

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The process, known as solar-driven photoreforming, uses light-activated materials called photocatalysts to break down plastics at relatively low temperatures. These reactions can produce hydrogen – a clean fuel with zero emissions at the point of use – as well as other valuable chemicals used in industry.

Unlike traditional water splitting for hydrogen production, plastic-based photoreforming is more energy-efficient because plastics are easier to oxidise, and the process is potentially more viable for large-scale application.

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