The Economic Times

In 2023, Rice researchers flashed mixed waste plastic for about 4 seconds at 3,100 K; the process recovered up to 68% of its hydrogen at purities reaching 94% and produced graphene

A group of researchers has pioneered a groundbreaking technique that transforms landfill plastic into hydrogen gas, a valuable energy source. By employing flash Joule heating, this process effectively disintegrates plastic waste, resulting in a cleaner alternative for hydrogen production. Additionally, it produces graphene, a byproduct that can finance the hydrogen generation costs entirely, thus tackling plastic pollution and energy challenges simultaneously.