Oxygenated polymers as sustainable materials for consumer products and liquid formulations

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Hydrophilic polymers are an important area of polymer science with applications including; drug delivery, self-assembly, surface modification, catalysis and liquid formulations. Unfortunately, however, the majority of these macromolecules are petrochemical derived and based on non-degradable synthetic methodologies. Due to a push for a more sustainable and circular economy, there has been increased demand on re-designing these materials with a focus on renewable feedstocks and end-of-life disposal. Fundamental investigation of polymer synthesis and understanding of structure property degradability relationships is necessary, for the design of novel renewable polymers for sustainable applications. This research will address this challenge through synthesis and investigation of novel polymer structures for use in liquid formulations. Polyester and polycarbonates, have been selected as these chemistries are typically degradable by hydrolysis, many are biodegradable, and they can often be synthesised from bio-based resources. This approach will utilise highly active, selective and controllable catalysts and processes for epoxide/anhydride ring-opening polymerisation, with the potential for later expansion to epoxide/carbon dioxide copolymerisation. The focus of the thesis can be divided into a number of sub-aims including: i) Synthesise novel hydrophilic polyesters and polycarbonates; ii) Characterise the stability, solubility and biodegradability of the novel polymers; iii) Develop the understanding of structure-performance-degradation relationships for hydrophilic polymers; iv) Investigate post-functionalisation for tuning properties; v) Optimise reaction conditions for improved polymerisation control. The project will be a collaboration with Unilever and falls within the EPSRC polymer materials, net zero, circular economy, and physical sciences research areas.