This technology utilizes a photoelectrochemical system as the core reaction element required for the upcycling of plastic waste/organic pollutants. The unique properties, including high selectivity, low energy consumption,high solar-energy conversion efficiency, of the developed photoelectrochemical system serves as an efficient platform for the upcycling of waste plastic/organic pollutant without external power supply under ambient conditions.

1. The development of high-performance catalysts, which can selectively (~100) catalyze the conversion of plasticsorganic compounds with nitro/nitrile groups at low energy consumption. A low-cost, facile,scalable electrodeposition method was developed to deposit the high-performance catalyst on semiconductingconductive substrates of high roughness.
 
 2. An efficient solar-driven platform was constructed for the upcycling of waste plastic/organic pollutants to value-added chemicals.

1. The development of high-performance non-precious metal electrocatalysts can selectively electrocatalyze the conversion of plastic wasteorganic pollutants into value-added chemicals (such as H2, formic acid, 4-aminophenol) with low energy consumption. 
 
 2. The integration of the developed catalystrenewable energy sources (such as solar energy) can build an environmentally benignsustainable platform for the upcycling of plastic waste/organic pollutant treatment. 
 
 3. The developed electrosynthetic method is not only compatible with the mass production procedures but also applicable to semiconductingconductive substrates of high surface roughness.