Design principles for intrinsically circular polymers with tunable properties

This perspective discusses a set of design principles for next-generation kinetically trapped, intrinsically circular polymers (iCPs) that are inherently, selectively, and expediently depolymerizable to their monomer state once their kinetic barriers of deconstruction are overcome, thereby enabling...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chem 2021-11, Vol.7 (11), p.2896-2912
Main Authors: Shi, Changxia, Reilly, Liam T., Phani Kumar, V. Sai, Coile, Matthew W., Nicholson, Scott R., Broadbelt, Linda J., Beckham, Gregg T., Chen, Eugene Y.-X.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ceiling temperature
chemical recyclability
chemically recyclable polymers
INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
intrinsically circular polymers
kinetically trapped polymers
life-cycle assessment
predictive modeling
sustainable polymers
techno-economic analysis
upcycling
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Summary:This perspective discusses a set of design principles for next-generation kinetically trapped, intrinsically circular polymers (iCPs) that are inherently, selectively, and expediently depolymerizable to their monomer state once their kinetic barriers of deconstruction are overcome, thereby enabling not only the ideal shortest chemical circularity but also tunable performance properties. After describing four elements of the design principles—thermodynamics and kinetics, strategies to overcome trade-offs and unify conflicting properties, predictive modeling, and supply-chain life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis, which are illustrated with state-of-the-art examples—it concludes with presenting key challenges and opportunities for sustainable development of iCPs. [Display omitted] Challenges and opportunities:•Innovative monomer/polymer and catalyst design strategies that can render orthogonality of polymerization and depolymerization to overcome trade-offs, as well as unify conflicting properties and maximize selectivity.•Predictive thermodynamic and kinetic modeling that can guide monomer design for intrinsically circular polymers (iCPs) and predict iCP’s time-dependent properties.•Metrics for sustainability of the circular plastics economy through life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis that can identify key gaps for further research and development to overcome. Polymers can be designed de novo to possess intrinsic chemical circularity and tunable performance properties through kinetic trapping.
ISSN:2451-9294
2451-9294
DOI:10.1016/j.chempr.2021.10.004