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Mechanochemical synthesis of inverse vulcanized polymers

Author

Listed:
  • Peiyao Yan

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Wei Zhao

    (University of Liverpool
    University of Liverpool)

  • Fiona McBride

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Diana Cai

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Joseph Dale

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Veronica Hanna

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Tom Hasell

    (University of Liverpool)

Abstract

Inverse vulcanization, a sustainable platform, can transform sulfur, an industrial by-product, into polymers with broad promising applications such as heavy metal capture, electrochemistry and antimicrobials. However, the process usually requires high temperatures (≥159 °C), and the crosslinkers needed to stabilize the sulfur are therefore limited to high-boiling-point monomers only. Here, we report an alternative route for inverse vulcanization—mechanochemical synthesis, with advantages of mild conditions (room temperature), short reaction time (3 h), high atom economy, less H2S, and broader monomer range. Successful generation of polymers using crosslinkers ranging from aromatic, aliphatic to volatile, including renewable monomers, demonstrates this method is powerful and versatile. Compared with thermal synthesis, the mechanochemically synthesized products show enhanced mercury capture. The resulting polymers show thermal and light induced recycling. The speed, ease, versatility, safety, and green nature of this process offers a more potential future for inverse vulcanization, and enables further unexpected discoveries.

Suggested Citation

  • Peiyao Yan & Wei Zhao & Fiona McBride & Diana Cai & Joseph Dale & Veronica Hanna & Tom Hasell, 2022. "Mechanochemical synthesis of inverse vulcanized polymers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32344-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32344-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaofeng Wu & Jessica A. Smith & Samuel Petcher & Bowen Zhang & Douglas J. Parker & John M. Griffin & Tom Hasell, 2019. "Catalytic inverse vulcanization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuanxin Deng & Zhengtie Huang & Ben L. Feringa & He Tian & Qi Zhang & Da-Hui Qu, 2024. "Converting inorganic sulfur into degradable thermoplastics and adhesives by copolymerization with cyclic disulfides," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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    1. Yuanxin Deng & Zhengtie Huang & Ben L. Feringa & He Tian & Qi Zhang & Da-Hui Qu, 2024. "Converting inorganic sulfur into degradable thermoplastics and adhesives by copolymerization with cyclic disulfides," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Botuo Zheng & Liling Zhong & Xiaoxiao Wang & Peiyao Lin & Zezhou Yang & Tianwen Bai & Hang Shen & Huagui Zhang, 2024. "Structural evolution during inverse vulcanization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.

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