Institute for Cooperative Upcycling of Plastics Research Highlights

Chemical Upcycling of Polyethylene to Divinyl Oligomers

Polyethylenes were upgraded to value-added a,w-divinyl-functionalized oligomers with tunable chain lengths via a three step process.

Synthetic Lubricants Derived from Plastic Waste and their Tribological Performance

Upcycling of an untapped feedstock is showcased as economically feasible

Catalytic Upcycling of Waste Polyolefins to High Value Liquid Alkylaromatics

Discovery of a new catalytic route to convert various polyethylene grades directly to alkylaromatic liquids

Design of a Processive Catalyst for the Upcycling of Polyethylene

Processive catalysis can advantage rates and improve selectivity in upcycling processes

Catalyzing the Transformation of Waste Plastics into Value-Added Products

Selective catalytic hydrogenolysis provides high-quality, value-added liquid products from polyethylene

Modeling Polyethylene + Ethylene → Propylene with Tandem Metathesis + Double Bond Isomerization Catalysts

New tools reduce massive ensemble of rate equations involving multiple catalysts into an easily solved Fokker-Planck equation and closed form rate expressions.

A Second Life for Polyolefins as Biodegradable Surfactants

This catalytic deconstruction of polyolefins, using Earth-abundant Zr catalyst and Al reactants, into valuable, biodegradable surfactant and detergent precursors, provides an economically and environmentally sustainable end-of-life for single-use plastics.