Creating order by controlling disorder: from Macrolactones to Macroscopic Property Control

We are currently in the midst of moving towards more sustainable materials, where plastics are in focus.

In light of this, we aim to generate in-depth understanding of how microstructural changes effect macroscopic properties by utilizing sequence-controlled polymers, and to create procedures for infinitely recyclable polyesters.

The utilized methodology for both targets is to master the inherent thermodynamics of entropy-driven ring-opening polymerization to enable a shift between controlled polymerization and macrolactone generation (recycling).

To achieve a macroscopic property understanding, sequence-defined macrolactones with predefined ester-based building-block order will be synthesized and polymerized at specific ester-positions.

The effect of an unscrambled chemical structure and ester-order on the macroscopic properties, such as degradation and thermal behaviour, can thereby be gained.

To achieve infinitely recyclable polyesters, commercial polyesters will be utilized to develop a chemical recycling-route.

The route will be adapted to the principals of green chemistry, thereby avoiding todays use of metal-based catalysts and large amounts of organic halogenated solvents.

The macrolactones will be re-polymerized into equivalent polyesters or value-added (co)polyesters by incorporation of biobased macrolactones created by the same methodology.

This 4-year project will thereby significantly contribute to polyesters with predetermined properties and circular materials.