Development of layered silicate catalysts for valorization of polyether wastes with carbon dioxide

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K14480
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Catalyst/Resource chemical process
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Maeno Zen 大阪大学, 基礎工学研究科, 助教 (30721154)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: グリーンケミストリー / 解重合 / C-O結合 / ポリマー廃棄物 / 層状粘土化合物 / 固体酸触媒 / 資源リサイクル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The novel depolymerization reactions were successfully developed using cation-exchanged montmorillonites as layered solid acid catalysts. In the depolymerization of polyethers with carboxylic acid derivatives, diverse polyether compounds, such as high-molecular-weight PEG and nonionic PEG surfactants, were converted to valuable esters. The combination of this depolymerization with the synthetic method of carboxylic acid derivatives from carbon dioxide would provide a promising technology for valorization of polymer wastes and carbon dioxide. Spectroscopic studies revealed that interlayer nanospaces of the montmorillonite catalysts have high compatibility with polyether compounds, allowing the efficient depolymerizations on the acid sites. Based on the above catalytic activity and compatibility, we proposed a new protocol for capture of polyether wastes in water and its utilization.

Free Research Field

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