Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Controlled metal-catalysed polymerisation of SO2-derived sources to high performance and recyclable materials

Project description

New procedures for sulfur dioxide metal-catalysed copolymerisation

The burning of sulfur-rich fossil fuels generates sulfur dioxide (SO2) which represents a growing threat to human health and the environment. The EU-funded PolySO2 project will search for new controlled procedures. The goal is to achieve direct metal-catalysed copolymerisation of SO2 and sulfone-derived sources. The project aims to advance new sustainable platforms to produce unconventional materials from renewable resources designed for high performance and recyclability. PolySO2 will examine the ring-opening polymerisation and ring-opening alternating copolymerisation of these monomer sources. The project will also search for the best depolymerising strategies of such linear chains to demonstrate full chemical recyclability.

Objective

The burn of sulphur-rich fossil fuels continues to produce sulphur dioxide as a polluting gas, with high risks to humans and the environment. In PolySO2, we aim to uncover new controlled routes to attain the direct metal-catalysed copolymerisation of sulphur dioxide and sulfone-derived sources in combination with carbon dioxide and other oxygenated monomers. Our goal is to open new sustainable platforms for making unconventional materials from renewable resources that are designed for high performance and recyclability. Moreover, our study of the reaction mechanism will improve our fundamental understanding of the polymerisation steps, which will lead to the design of better metal catalysts and reaction conditions. First, we will investigate the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) and ring-opening alternating copolymerisation (ROCOP) of these previously unexplored monomer sources. These methods will provide with unprecedented strategies to introduce custom linkages (aliphatic and aromatic) in the main-chain of newly developed polymers: poly(sulfite)s, poly(sulfonate)s, poly(sulfonic ester)s and block copolymers. Secondly, we will seek the best depolymerising strategies of such linear chains in an effort to demonstrate full chemical recyclability. Finally, we will apply the newly developed polymeric materials in the construction of robust elastomers (via phase segregation) and resins (via crosslinking) as well as their thermo-mechanical analysis. This action will promote the return of Dr. Fernando Vidal to the European scientific arena after 8 years in the USA and his retention as an independent researcher in polymer chemistry. His planned work in the group of Prof. Charlotte Williams at the University of Oxford and collaboration with her network of industrial partners will serve as the ideal launching mechanism for his future scientific endeavors.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 224 933,76
Address
WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 224 933,76
My booklet 0 0