Polymers

Project Graphic Express Summary Plastic pollution is a major environmental concern that requires immediate action. One potential solution is to replace petroleum-based plastics with biodegradable or compostable polymers made from biomass-derived monomers. Bioplastics can be synthesized using ring-opening polymerization (ROP), which often requires the use of metal alkoxide catalysts to facilitate the reaction. Our research aims to better understand the mechanisms of ROP and identify ways to optimize the process through the development of faster and more efficient catalysts, with the ultimate goal of making bioplastics more commercially viable.