Upcycling plastic wastes into value-added products via electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis

Plastic, renowned for its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness, is indispensable in modern society. Nevertheless, the annual production of nearly 400 million tons of plastic, coupled with a recycling rate of only 9%, has led to a monumental environmental crisis. Plastic recycling has emerged as a vital response to this crisis, offering sustainable solutions to mitigate its environmental impact. Among these recycling efforts, plastic upcycling has garnered attention, which elevates discarded plastics into higher-value products. Here, electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic treatments stand at the forefront of advanced plastic upcycling. Electrocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic treatments involve chemical reactions that facilitate electron transfer through the electrode/electrolyte interface, driven by electrical or solar energy, respectively. These methods enable precise control of chemical reactions, harnessing potential, current density, or light to yield valuable chemical products. This review explores recent progress in plastic upcycling through electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic pathways, offering promising solutions to the plastic waste crisis and advancing sustainability in the plastics industry.