Environmental remediation through tandem hydrogenolysis of polyethylene and H2 evolution over butterfly shaped MoO3@RuO2 heterostructures.

Hydrogenolysis of polyethylene and hydrogen production processes are considered as the most sustainable routes both for environmental protection and energy generation. However, these processes require the development of high-performance catalysts with improved activity as well as selectivity. Herein, we report the fabrication of bifunctional MoO 3 @RuO 2 heterostructured nanocatalyst by simple and cost-effective facile hydrothermal method. High-surface area of the MoO 3 @RuO 2 nanocatalyst delivers highest selectivity towards tandem catalytic transformation of polyethylene into linear hydrocarbons in high yields (up to 82 wt%). MoO 3 @RuO 2 heterojunctions were also explored for photoelectrocatalytic H 2 evolution reaction, which exhibited enhanced current density of 164 mA/cm2 and the lowest value of tafel slope of 52 mV dec−1 as compared to pure RuO 2 and MoO 3 which affirms its excellent performance. The enhanced activity was observed due to the generated synergistic interaction between RuO 2 and MoO 3 nanostructures which imparts their remarkable performance in catalysis. [Display omitted] • MoO 3 @RuO 2 as highly active nanocatalyst for hydrogenolysis of polyethylene and H 2 production. • Delivers highest selectivity towards tandem catalytic transformation of polyethylene. • Enhanced current density of 164 mA/cm2 and lowest tafel slope of 52 mV dec−1 affirms its excellent PEC performance. • Efficient catalyst for environmental protection as well as energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]