This Ph.D. project is inscribed within a « HORIZON European Project” called ACTPAC (“A Complete Transformation PAth for C-C backboned plastic wastes to high-value Chemicals and materials”). ACTPAC proposes a complete value-added industry-viable path to convert PE firstly into alkanes, then into high-value chemicals (monomers), and finally into PE-like but fully biodegradable polyesters. A zero-waste solution to the plastic waste management is thus created to keep plastics out of the environment, and reclaim their values. The new properties and specific applications of the new polyester plastics produced from upcycling of PE waste will offer new business opportunities for small and medium enterprises by scalable, flexible and robust multi-product manufacturing processes for on-demand and small-volume output production.
In this context, the objective of the Ph.D. candidate is the valorization of mixture of diols and diacids through the synthesis of PE-like polyesters with tunable properties via a chemical catalysis. To this end, several routes will be followed and compared to find the most suitable one for the production of high molar mass polyesters in mild conditions. The polyester properties will be investigated according to the Methylene/Ester ratios.
Candidates are invited to apply at https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR5629-FREPER-012/Default.aspx?lang=EN