Rideal Travel Bursary recipient, Jie Gu, reports from Italy

Jie Gu was awarded a Rideal Travel Bursary to attend PYRO 2026, held in Pisa, Italy. Here he tells us about his highlights from the conference.

"At the prestigious PYRO 2026 conference, I had the distinct honour of presenting my latest research entitled "Triple Synergy in Waste Plastic Upcycling: Enhanced BTEX Production via Plasma Assisted Catalysis over Ga-Modified β-Zeolites". My research addresses the escalating global crisis of plastic pollution by proposing a novel, highly efficient upcycling technology. While conventional thermal pyrolysis often suffers from broad product distribution and rapid catalyst deactivation, my presentation introduced an innovative two-stage process integrating Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) with shape-selective zeolites. By unlocking a "triple synergy"—combining plasma gas-phase activation, the distinct pore network of β-zeolite, and the dehydrogenating properties of Ga₂O₃ active sites—we successfully achieved a highly selective conversion of waste polypropylene into valuable BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene) aromatics under mild conditions.

"Presenting at PYRO 2026 was a deeply rewarding experience that directly enriched my current PhD research. Following my presentation, I engaged in invaluable discussions with leading experts regarding the energy efficiency of the Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) reactor and the specific role of the Gallium active sites. The constructive feedback and the diverse methodologies showcased by other researchers have inspired me to expand my experimental scope. Moving forward, our group plans to apply this plasma-catalytic system to real-world, contaminated post-consumer plastics—such as end-of-life car battery casings—and explore CO₂ co-feeding strategies to further drive the process towards net-zero emissions.

"Attending this international symposium has significantly benefited my early-career development. It provided a unique platform to raise my profile within the global scientific community dedicated to the circular economy and sustainable chemistry. The event facilitated excellent networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with both academic pioneers and industry representatives. These interactions have not only broadened my understanding of the industrial scalability of pyrolysis technologies but also paved the way for potential postdoctoral collaborations and future career opportunities in sustainable chemical engineering.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support that made this experience possible. I gratefully acknowledge the financial contribution I received from the SCI-RSC Rideal Trust, which provided the vital Travel Bursary enabling my attendance and presentation at PYRO 2026.

"I would like to thank SCI for supporting my trip to SETAC. My attendance has been integral to my career building, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to attend. There is a huge array of amazing research being conducted in the field of environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology, and I loved every minute of sharing my work and engaging with others!"

Jie Gu
PhD student
University of Leeds

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