Objective Objectives of the proposal HOMCAT are (i) preparation and characterization of homogeneous catalyst systems, (ii) various polymerization studies using the catalyst system, (iii) kinetic and mechanistic studies of the polymerization reaction,(iv) analysis of polymer properties, (v) polymer scale up: Recently Carbon dioxide/epoxide copolymer has drawn much attention in both academic and industrial sectors. Among the several reported catalyst systems for the copolymerization, a highly active homogeneous Salen-cobalt complex tethered with quaternary ammonium salt (Salen-Co)was very attractive in terms of catalytic activity, easy to implement in industry and able to polymerize cheap monomer propylene oxide (PO), whereas most of the reported catalyst systems can only polymerize expensive cyclohexene oxide monomer (CHO). Using the catalyst system, a pilot plant for the continuous commercial process was constructed for the preparation of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC). One of the potential applications of the prepared low molecular weight copolymer is to use it as a soft segment in polyurethane (PU). But due to the strictly alternating nature of the PPC formed by Salen-Co, the PU prepared using the PPC-diol is highly brittle. In this aspect, heterogeneous double metal cyanide (het-DMC) catalyst found to be very useful, which can produce some flexible ether linkage in PPC and thus the prepared PU was attractive in the polymer market. DMC catalyst has several drawbacks like, inconsistency in activity, produce broad molecular weight distribution and due to the heterogeneous nature, it is difficult to characterize and the polymerization mechanism have remained elusive. In this proposal (HOMCAT), using a novel strategy, we have designed several homogeneous DMC catalysts (hom-DMC) that can have the merits of highly active Salen-Co catalysts as well as het-DMC catalysts. The hom-DMC catalyst is designed in such a way that, it can also polymerize lactide to polylactide (PLA). Fields of science engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybiomaterialsbioplasticspolylactic acidnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryinorganic compoundsnatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencespolyurethanenatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE EU contribution € 231 283,20 Address SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD SW7 2AZ LONDON United Kingdom See on map Region London Inner London — West Westminster Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Brooke Alasya (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
