Converting Waste Polyethylene into ZnCCo3 and ZnCNi3 by a One-Step Thermal Reduction Process

Plastic products have brought us great convenience in our daily life and work. But in the meantime, waste plastics have become solid pollutants in the environment due to its poor degradability. The resource utilization of waste plastic can decrease environmental pollution. Here, a thermal reduction method for the conversion of waste polyethylene to ZnCCo3 and ZnCNi3 in a stainless-steel autoclave under mild conditions has been reported. X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate that the obtained samples are anti-perovskite-structured ternary carbides (ZnCCo3 and ZnCNi3) with good crystallinity. Moreover, the formation mechanism of ternary carbides has been briefly discussed. This method can be developed into an effective method for disposal of other waste plastics.