Catalytic co-pyrolysis of biomass and waste plastics for aromatics production: a review of catalysts and reaction mechanisms

Aromatics, as crucial fundamental chemical feedstocks, face sustainability challenges in their conventional production pathways reliant on fossil fuels. The catalytic co-pyrolysis technology for biomass and plastics offers a novel route for green aromatics production by synergistically converting these two types of solid wastes into high-value-added aromatics. In this paper, the research progress in this field is systematically reviewed, with emphasis on the core role of catalysts. The characteristics of zeolite, metal catalysts, carbon-based catalysts and zeolite composite catalysts in different reaction stages are compared in detail, and the internal mechanism of their precise regulation of aromatic selectivity and yield is explained. On this basis, the multi-stage reaction path and synergy mechanism from initial pyrolysis, intermediate conversion to aromatic hydrocarbon directional formation were analyzed, and the key steps were pointed out. Finally, it is pointed out that in the future, the field should focus on the development of new catalysts with green, low-cost, high-performance, long-lived and rational design based on artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, through techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment, it aims to provide a reference for achieving solid waste resource utilization and forming technically feasible, economically significant green chemical production.