Chemical Upcycling of Polymers: Creation on Novel Polyolefins
Multiple strategies are required to balance the mounting issues of plastic waste and climate change. To address the growing amount of plastic waste, we aim to transform polyolefins, including polyethylene with varied chain architectures and isotactic polypropylene, into higher‐value functionalized polyolefin copolymers. Unlike strategies that deconstruct polymers into small molecules, our aim is to preserve high molecular weights during chemical transformations. Specialty polyolefins with as little as 2‐6 mol% of functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, or ester units can hold significant commercial value. We seek to achieve comparable compositions while expanding the scope of accessible functionalities. By utilizing polymer waste as the starting material, rather than petroleum‐derived feedstocks, we aim to reduce both energy use and emissions associated with polymer production. Our synthetic strategies are designed to introduce functionality with minimal disruption to polymer backbone integrity.
Working alongside graduate students and postdoctoral research associates, The Coughlin Research Group's mission is to provide opportunities for scholastic development in a laboratory setting at the graduate research level, while also introducing undergraduate students to both technical and professional elements associated with advancing the broad field of polymer science and engineering. Such experiences serve to better connect students with the enjoyable processes and human elements of working with near-peer scientists and engineers that make STEM fields more “connected to the challenges in the real world” and thus more attractive for young students. Research experiences gained by former undergraduates students has allowed them to make career decisions and successfully find employment in industry or enter competitive graduate programs.