Work

C–H Insertion Functionalization of Polyolefins for Versatile Polyolefin-Polyester Compatibilization

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The effective recycling of commingled plastic waste blends remains a major challenge due to the immiscibility of commonly used polymers like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with polyolefins, including high- or low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) and isotactic polypropylene ( i PP). This immiscibility causes phase separation of the polymers in the blend, compromising the mechanical properties of these mixtures. Herein, we report a versatile and robust strategy to synthesize polar-group pendant polyolefins via C–H insertion from preexisting polymers, which can subsequently act as compatibilizers for blends of PET with different polyolefins. The addition of 0.5–1.0 wt % of these functionalized polyolefins to blends of PET with HDPE, LDPE, or i PP significantly improved the elongation at break, effectively restoring their material properties. This approach can be applied to prepare a compatibilizer from postconsumer HDPE bottlecaps. The waste derived compatibilizer effectively compatibilized postconsumer PET/HDPE blends, demonstrating the versatility of this method as a low-cost, efficient, and adaptable solution for restoring PET/polyolefin blend properties.

Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c20245

Authors: Mingkai Zhang, Moritz Kränzlein, Shilin Cui, Anne M. LaPointe, Geoffrey W. Coates

Institution: Cornell University

Language: English

Topic: Polymer crystallization and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Gerstner Family Foundation, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences