Researchers convert HDPE plastic waste into high-quality graphene via flash Joule heating for supercapacitor applications | Graphene-Info

Researchers from India’s Homi Bhabha National Institute and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre have demonstrated an efficient route for converting high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic waste into high-quality turbostratic graphene using flash Joule heating (FJH), while directly validating its performance in supercapacitor electrodes.

The approach relies on rapid capacitive discharge to drive extremely fast resistive heating of the polymer precursor, reaching temperatures above 2500°C within milliseconds. This ultrafast thermal spike induces carbonization and graphitization in a single step, eliminating the need for external furnaces, catalysts, or solvents. Compared to conventional graphene production routes such as chemical vapor deposition or chemical oxidation, the FJH process is significantly simpler, avoids hazardous chemicals entirely, and reduces both energy consumption and environmental impact.

HDPE, a widely used thermoplastic found in packaging and consumer products, represents a major fraction of global plastic waste. Its chemical stability and high molecular weight make it persistent in the environment, contributing to long-term pollution and microplastic formation. Traditional recycling methods often downgrade its value due to polymer degradation, and only a small portion of the more than 400 million tonnes of plastic produced annually is effectively recycled. Converting such waste into graphene offers a compelling upcycling pathway, transforming a low-value pollutant into a high-performance nanomaterial.

Material characterization confirms the high quality of the synthesized graphene. Raman spectroscopy shows a high I2D/IG ratio of 1.22 and a low ID/IG ratio of 0.05, indicating well-ordered graphitic domains with minimal defects. Complementary analyses using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further validate the formation of turbostratic graphene structures. Th…

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Researchers convert HDPE plastic waste into high-quality graphene via flash Joule heating for supercapacitor applications | Graphene-Info