The application driven synthesis and modification of chemically recyclable polyesters

Young, Taylor 2024. The application driven synthesis and modification of chemically recyclable polyesters. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

The Ring Opening Copolymerisation (ROCOP) of cyclic anhydrides and epoxides offers route to a theoretical plethora of chemically recyclable polyesters and in turn, vast array of material properties. Despite the promise of ROCOP polyesters, many of the new-to-world synthetic polymers reported do not have commercial function, at present, there is minimal application targeted research to unlock their potential. This work seeks to understand the scope of material properties accessible to this polymerisation architype with a focus on application. Where limited by innate polymer characteristics, approaches to improve material properties post-polymerisation have been consulted including thiolene click reactions, crosslinking, ionomer formation and plasticisation. To overcome characteristic low-molecular weights (MW), DMAP was employed to achieve enhanced MW (98.3 kgmol-1 for poly(PA-alt-CHO) with narrow polydispersities (1.1) via optimised reaction conditions (low catalyst loading, high temperatures, high reaction concentration). Chemical recycling to monomer and subsequent repolymerisation has been demonstrated for ROCOP polyesters as a proof of principle concept for their applicability in a circular economy system. This method was successfully applied to chemically coloured polyesters allowing for facile removal of colourant and repolymerisation of white polymer free of colour. A “water absorbent” polyester employing hydrophilic ethylene glycol crosslinks was successfully synthesised, yet TGA-IR studies revealed negligible water uptake.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Chemistry
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	27 August 2024
Last Modified:	28 Aug 2024 09:03
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/171575

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