Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most important plastics, which is produced unfortunately under extreme conditions. In addition, it consists of robust aliphatic C─C bonds which are challenging to cleave for plastic recycling. A low‐pressure and ‐temperature (p ethylene = 2 bara, T = 70 °C) macromonomer‐based synthesis of long chain branched polyethylene is reported. The introduction of recycle points permits the polymerization (grafting to) of the macromonomers to form the long chain branched polyethylene and its depolymerization (branch cleavage). Coordinative chain transfer polymerization employing ethylene and co‐monomers is used for the synthesis of the macromonomers, permitting a high flexibility of their precise structure and efficient synthesis. The long chain branched polyethylene material matches key properties of low‐density polyethylene.
Source: Advanced Science
Authors: Christoph Unger, Holger Schmalz, Jannis Lipp, Winfried P. Kretschmer, Rhett Kempe
Institutions: University of Bayreuth, Bavarian Polymer Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,120
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Award: G5853280516
OpenAlex ID: W4391145069