Novel Polycarbonate Synthesis Using Carbon Dioxide as a Feedstock

79196S The greenhouse effect has been and will continue to be of great concern to the entire world, especially with increasing CO2 emmissions. In previous work, a technology has been developed that uses CO2 as a feedstock in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics, which have applications in such industries as medical devices, automotive, electronics, ceramics, food packaging, and energy storage. This project will identify and optimize catalyst systems that allow for the cost effective production of functional polymers for specific products made from biorenewable resources such as CO2. Phase I will explore the commercial viability of a novel epoxide/ CO2 copolymerization catalyst system for large volume polycarbonate production. The technical objectives will focus on catalyst optimizations and on the direct use of CO2 generated as industrial waste. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The synthesis process should be adaptable for large-scale manufacturing, in which customized and optimized biodegradable polycarbonates can be manufactured for specific uses in the medical devices, electronics, automotive, packaging, and energy storage industries. The primary feedstock would be CO2, which is a biorenewable resource that is almost in limitless supply and as such is inexpensive.