One step conversion of waste polyethylene to Cr3C2 nanorods and Cr2AlC particles under mild conditions

Abstract

The resource utilization of waste plastic can solve the problems of energy shortage and environment pollution simultaneously to achieve sustainable development. Preparation of carbides using waste plastic as a carbon resource is an effective way to recycle waste plastic. In this paper, we have synthesized Cr₃C₂ nanorods utilizing waste polyethylene (PE), Cr₂O₃ and metallic Mg at 800 °C in a stainless-steel autoclave. The Cr₃C₂ nanorods have lengths up to tens of micrometers and a stem diameter of about 100 nm. By a similar procedure, Cr₂AlC particles can also be synthesized by using waste PE as a carbon source. Furthermore, the possible formation mechanisms of carbides have been proposed.