Using precision polymer chemistry for plastics traceability and governance

Johnson, Hope; Chambers, Lewis C.; Holloway, Joshua O.; Bousgas, Annastasia; Akhtar-Khavari, Afshin; Blinco, James P.; Barner‐Kowollik, Christopher

doi:10.1039/d2py01180h

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…In this way, materials can be continuously tracked and what happened to the material beforehand can always be clearly looked up across research groups, companies, countries, and production sites. This will eventually also make recycling more accessible, [ 222 ] as one immediately knows what is in the material and how it can be reused. In this way, digital processes can make materials greener and more sustainable as well as material flows can be closed.…”

Section: Future Trends and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Digital Methods in Polymer Science and Engineering

Schuett,

Endres,

Standau

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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The development of new polymer materials is an emerging field for more than 100 years. However, it is currently facing major challenges and the application of digital methods can help to develop new processes, discover new materials and, thus, contribute to the challenges of today and the future. Though, the application of digital methods in the field of polymer science is currently very limited, when compared to other classes of materials such as small molecules or inorganic high‐performance materials. Nevertheless, there are already first, very promising approaches. The current review article focuses on the application of these methods in different aspects of polymer research including polymer design, synthesis, and characterization. Furthermore, the digital discovery of polymer engineering is highlighted in detail showing the broad range of potential applications of these methods in polymer science. Finally, future possibilities and opportunities are derived from the current state‐of‐the‐art and perspectives for a potential evolution of polymer science are provided.

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Section: Future Trends and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Digital Methods in Polymer Science and Engineering

Schuett,

Endres,

Standau

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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show abstract

“…A "new plastics economy", which has among its key elements the expansion and improvement of the non-biodegradable plastic recycling processes, has been promoted [5]. In this context, many researchers from both academia and industry have devoted their studies to new strategies leading to the improvement of collection, sorting and recycling technologies [6]. To improve both the cheapness and speed of plastic mechanical recycling processes, automated sorting systems based on the intrinsic chemicophysical properties of polymers have been developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polyethylenes and Polystyrenes with Carbazole Fluorescent Tags

et al. 2023

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The increasingly intense consumption of plastics and, above all, their improper disposal in the environment are causing serious environmental concerns. Great efforts have been made for the development of new methods aimed at facilitating and speeding up the identification and sorting of different materials in the plastic recycling process. In this field, new strategies based on fluorescent tagging have been developed. This work concerns the synthesis and characterization of new fluorescent copolymers of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS), which are among the most produced and consumed plastic materials. The synthesized copolymers are potentially suitable for use as fluorescent markers of PE and PS. Ethylene-co-N-pentenyl carbazole (P(E-co-PK)) and styrene-co-4-(N-carbazolyl)methyl styrene (P(S-co-SK)) copolymers were prepared by Ziegler–Natta and free radical polymerization, respectively. If excited at 300 nm, both P(E-co-PK)s and P(S-co-SK)s give fluorescence emissions resulting in them being optically active. Moreover, due to the low amount of fluorescent units, they show chemico-physical properties such as those of their corresponding homopolymers (PE and PS). P(E-co-PK)s and P(S-co-SK)s have been also tested as fluorescent markers of PE and PS. The experimental results demonstrate that from PE/P(E-co-PK) and PS/P(S-co-SK) blends prepared using only 1% by weight of fluorescent copolymer, distinguishable fluorescent emissions can be still detected.

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“…[4,5] Sequence-defined macromolecules have shown promise for applications in data storage, cryptography, biomedical or pharmaceutical applications, as well as catalysis. [6][7][8][9] Current applications focus on properties obtained through physical bond formation, such as supramolecular interactions like host-guest chemistry and self-assembly or dynamic covalent bonds, often in an attempt to mimic natural polymers. [5,10] Studies have shown that macromolecularly-defined oligomers or polymers present a promising avenue for investigating the effect of macromolecular structure (for example chain length or monomer positioning) on physical, thermal, and optical properties of bulk materials.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Macromolecular Engineering: From Precise Macromolecular Inks to 3D Printed Microstructures

Catt

Hackner

Spatz

et al. 2023

Small

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Macromolecules with complex, defined structures exist in nature but rarely is this degree of control afforded in synthetic macromolecules. Sequence‐defined approaches provide a solution for precise control of the primary macromolecular structure. Despite a growing interest, very few examples for applications of sequence‐defined macromolecules exist. In particular, the use of sequence‐defined macromolecules as printable materials remains unexplored. Herein, the rational design of precise macromolecular inks for 3D microprinting is investigated for the first time. Specifically, three printable oligomers are synthesized, consisting of eight units, either crosslinkable (C) or non‐functional (B) with varied sequence (BCBCBCBC, alternating; BBCCCBB, triblock; and BBBBCCCC, block). The oligomers are printed using two‐photon laser printing and characterized. It is clearly demonstrated that the macromolecular sequence, specifically the positioning of the crosslinkable group, plays a critical role in both the printability and final properties of the printed material. Thus, through precise design and printability of sequence‐defined macromolecules, an exciting avenue for the next generation of functional materials for 3D printing is created.

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Using precision polymer chemistry for plastics traceability and governance

Abstract: Resolving the anonymity of plastic materials is critical for safeguarding the well-being of our natural environments and human health. Herein, we explore how contemporary polymer chemistry – in the form...

Cited by 7 publications

References 67 publications

Application of Digital Methods in Polymer Science and Engineering

Application of Digital Methods in Polymer Science and Engineering

Polyethylenes and Polystyrenes with Carbazole Fluorescent Tags

Macromolecular Engineering: From Precise Macromolecular Inks to 3D Printed Microstructures

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