New Generation Polyolefin Materials and Characterization Techniques

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Global incentives to increase use of recyclable, environmentally friendly plastics are driving the development of new polyolefin applications. Polyolefins (polyethylene, polypropylene, and their copolymers) are inexpensive to make, are produced in processes that have low environmental impact, have an impressive range of applications due to their versatile molecular structures, and can be conveniently recycled several times. These characteristics make them very attractive for a broad range of applications in the transportation (automotive and aerospace), packaging, medical, consumer products, electronics, cable and wire coating, thermal and acoustic insulation, and building and construction sectors. The main objective of the proposed research program is to investigate the production and characterization of polyolefins with advanced molecular structures that will become the next generation of these materials. To produce new polyolefins, one needs to design their molecular architectures: their properties can only be changed by the way the monomer molecules (ethylene, alpha-olefins and, sometimes, dienes) are connected to form the polymer chains. It is expected that the research program proposed in this application will result in significant advances in polyolefin production technology by making polyolefin materials with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. The systematic approach to polymer synthesis and characterization, interconnected with the development of fundamental mathematical models, will lead to the tailor-made synthesis of polyolefins with enhanced properties, advancing our understanding of these versatile materials and allowing for excellent training opportunities of the 3 PhD students who will work in these projects.