Articles tagged with Polyolefins
Research team identifies two key strategies to address polyolefin environmental challenges: mechanical upcycling and redesign. Upcycling converts waste into high-value products, while redesign enhances production efficiency and material performance.
Researchers highlight two hydrogen-based approaches, hydrocracking and hydrogenolysis, which offer unique advantages. The authors outline five interlocking research priorities to overcome challenges and transition from lab-scale batch reactions to real-world deployment.
A new catalyst breaks down polyolefin plastics into liquid oils and waxes, which can be upcycled into higher-value products. This process bypasses the labor-intensive step of pre-sorting mixed plastic waste, making recycling more efficient and practical.
Researchers at Seoul National University of Science & Technology have made a breakthrough discovery in the catalytic recycling of polyolefins, enhancing conversion rates with the addition of water. The study reveals improved process efficiency, extended catalyst lifespan, and reduced operational costs.
A new chemical process can vaporize plastics, reducing waste and creating hydrocarbon building blocks for new plastics. The catalytic process efficiently degrades a mix of post-consumer plastic waste, bringing closer a circular economy for many throwaway plastics.
A UH research team is developing innovative chemical processes to transform plastic waste into useful materials, aiming to create new ways to reuse and recycle polyolefins. The project seeks to produce durable thermoset materials that can be recycled multiple times, reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular plastics economy.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel strategy for making recyclable polyolefins by introducing masked double bonds, known as 'Trojan horse' functional groups. These polymers can be chemically deconstructed and re-polymerized without losing quality.
A new zirconia-based catalyst can break down polyolefin plastics into new, useful products, reducing plastic waste and recovering value. The catalyst is made of earth-abundant materials and demonstrates high selectivity and activity.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a sustainable method for creating high-performance porous membranes from plastic waste, using bio-based solvents to dissolve polyolefins. This process reduces the environmental footprint of industrial separations and creates access to fresh water.
Researchers at Baylor University have synthesized a new, one-step Lewis superacid called tris(ortho-carboranyl)borane (BoCb3), which has applications in the production of common plastics. The compound is more efficient to produce, safer for the environment, and could potentially save billions of dollars in manufacturing costs.
Researchers from Konstanz University have developed a new class of water-soluble catalysts that allow for the direct manufacturing of polyethylene dispersions in water. This breakthrough enables environmentally-friendly and emission-free production of plastic coatings, reducing energy consumption and pollution.
Researchers demonstrate that ultrasound treatment opens the blood-brain barrier exclusively under the ultrasound beam, suggesting a promising solution for targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system. The use of a biocompatible polyolefin plate allows for reversible disruption of the barrier.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab design a nanoparticle composite that grows into 3D crystals, enabling faster production of electronic and optical devices. The discovery provides unprecedented control in fine-tuning nanolevel precision.
Researchers at iCOUP have developed a chemical process that breaks down polyolefins into valuable biodegradable chemicals. These chemicals can be used as surfactants, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics.
A new method uses ruthenium-carbon catalysts to convert polyolefins into fuels and chemical feedstock, with over 90% conversion rate at lower temperatures. The process can produce natural gas and liquid alkanes, potentially reducing post-consumer waste in landfills.
Researchers have developed a new process to produce polyolefins with varying levels of branching, allowing for easier recycling and potentially reducing plastic waste. The method also enables the creation of plastics from natural oils and other substances, addressing environmental sustainability issues.
A chemist at the University of Houston has received a $626,300 NSF CAREER Award to develop more versatile and sustainable ways of producing polyolefins. By varying catalyst design and modulating temperature and pressure, he aims to reduce energy intensity and environmental impact.