Graphitization of Polypropylene Derived Carbon Dots

Despite being around 17% of annual global plastic production, only about 3% of polypropylene (PP) is recycled. In this effective three-step process, waste polypropylene can be converted into crystalline graphitic material. First, polypropylene is converted into polypropylene nanoparticles (PP-NP) through a nonsolvent-induced phase separation process. The PP-NPs then undergo hydrothermal treatment and are carbonized into polypropylene carbon dots (PP-CD). Finally, through a series of post-processing steps the PP-CDs self-assemble into micron scale graphitic crystals. This work demonstrates a feasible method of converting waste plastics into functional electronic materials.