Funding (ICMUB): 162 000 €
Duration: Jan. 2025 – 42 months
Scientific leader ICMUB: Adrien NORMAND (PI of the project)
Summary
Halogenated polymers have widespread uses, from the construction sector to high-tech applications such as photovoltaic panels. However, these polymers release corrosive and/or toxic halogenated molecules (e.g. hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids, carbonyl fluoride…) upon heating, which limits the options available for post-consumer waste management, be it secondary recycling or incineration for energy recovery. Moreover, fluorinated polymers belong to the class of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “Forever Chemicals”, and as such represent a major threat, both for the environment and public health. In this context, catalytic dehalogenation using mild hydrogen donors (e.g. silanes) holds considerable promise, but very few catalysts have been reported so far, and all of them use precious metals (Rh, Ir, Pt). The DEHAYLIDES project targets highly electrophilic catalysts based on earth-abundant group 4 metals (Ti and Zr) supported by strongly donating phosphonium ylide ligands. These catalysts will be tested in the dehalogenation of polymers such as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), either as non-formulated resins, or as consumer items (e.g. vinyl discs, electric wire insulations, plumbing fittings, solar panel backsheets…). The dehalogenated polymers thus obtained will be characterized with a wide range of techniques in order to establish correlations between catalyst structure and activity on the one hand, and polymer structure and bulk properties on the other hand
Total Funding: 524 000 €
Partners:
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination (LCC, UPR 8241), Toulouse
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO, UMR 5629), Bordeaux