This work utilized an innovative and economical remediation method to convert inexpensive waste feedstock into extremely useful catalysts. The procedure centered on polyethylene (PE), an easily accessible substance, and effectively transformed it at a mild temperature utilizing a new solvothermal technique, which entailed the reaction of sulfuric acid with PE chains at 120 °C. Throughout this process, the polymer experienced a pivotal cross-linking stage, resulting in its conversion into carbon materials when exposed to temperatures above 500 °C. To improve the catalytic characteristics, platinum (Pt) was effectively integrated into the resultant carbon matrix using the existing impregnation technique. Further, the catalyst's physicochemical properties were thoroughly analyzed utilizing SEM, FTIR, and XRD techniques. After that, the catalyst's performance was thoroughly evaluated in several electrocatalytic reactions, such as methanol oxidation, oxygen evolution and reduction reactions, and hydrogen evolution. The results of this investigation reveal the impressive electrocatalytic ability of the Pt/C catalyst made from waste plastic. It was found to be comparable to the best commercially available Pt/C catalysts in all the reactions that were examined. This research not only demonstrates the possibility of using waste plastic for catalyst production, but also serves as the first documented example, based on successfully converting waste plastic bags into Pt/C through the conventional Liquid Phase Reduction (LPR) process. This novel method has great potential for sustainable and ecologically responsible catalytic applications.

中文翻译：

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塑料衍生和商业Pt/C电催化剂在甲醇氧化、析氢反应、析氧和还原反应中的综合比较

这项工作采用了一种创新且经济的修复方法，将廉价的废物原料转化为极其有用的催化剂。该程序以聚乙烯 (PE) 这种易于获得的物质为中心，并利用新的溶剂热技术在温和的温度下有效地转化它，该技术需要硫酸与 PE 链在 120 °C 下发生反应。在整个过程中，聚合物经历了一个关键的交联阶段，导致其在暴露于 500°C 以上的温度时转化为碳材料。为了改善催化特性，利用现有的浸渍技术将铂（Pt）有效地整合到所得的碳基体中。此外，利用 SEM、FTIR 和 XRD 技术对催化剂的物理化学性质进行了彻底分析。之后，在甲醇氧化、析氧和还原反应以及析氢等多个电催化反应中对催化剂的性能进行了全面评估。这项研究的结果揭示了由废塑料制成的 Pt/C 催化剂令人印象深刻的电催化能力。结果发现，在所有检查的反应中，它与最好的市售 Pt/C 催化剂相当。这项研究不仅证明了利用废塑料生产催化剂的可能性，而且也是第一个有记录的例子，通过传统的液相还原（LPR）工艺成功地将废塑料袋转化为 Pt/C。这种新颖的方法在可持续和生态负责的催化应用方面具有巨大的潜力。