Jun Zhi Tan
Tan’s research focuses on catalytic upcycling of plastic waste into more valuable chemical intermediates (e.g., gasoline and diesel) with the ultimate goal of reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the landfill. He utilizes a combination of kinetic, spectroscopic, and thermal analyses to elucidate the mechanism of plastics deconstruction on bifunctional zeolites, which have important implications on the conversion rates and product selectivities of plastic upcycling reactions. Tan is co-advised by Professor Michele Sarazen and Professor Bruce Koel in chemical and biological engineering.