Optimising selectivity and activity in catalytic chemical depolymerisation cascades

Plastic pollution is a societal challenge which must urgently be met. Developing chemical depolymerisation, such as through catalyst optimisation, as an end-of-life fate for plastics can help address this crisis. This project will explore catalyst optimisation for two value-added ends-of-life. First, the circular depolymerisation of commodity polymers - optimising the speed and selectivity of the depolymerisation, especially in competition experiments with multiple plastics. Design-of-experiments principles will take inspiration from Greaney group research in organocatalysis (Lewis base, NHC, amine nucleophiles) and photoredox catalysis and apply it to the sustainable polymer expertise in the Shaver group to create optimal systems. Scale up of top-performing systems will offer input variables for life cycle assessments, another expertise of the Shaver group. Second, for systems where selectivity is not possible, or the techno-economic analysis suggests it is not ideally sustainable, the monomeric feedstocks will be explored in cascade catalytic reactions to create value-added, upcycled products.

iCAT will work with industry partners to create an holistic approach to the training of students in biocatalysis, chemocatalysis, and their process integration. Traditional graduate training typically focuses on one aspect of catalysis and this approach can severely restrict innovation and impact. Advances in technology and fundamental reaction discovery are rendering this silo-approach obsolete, and a new training modality is needed to produce the next generation of chemists and engineers who can operate across a far broader chemical continuum. iCAT will meet this challenge with a state-of-the-art CDT, equipping the next generation of scientists and engineers with the skills needed to develop future catalytic processes and create the functional molecules of tomorrow.

The UK has one of the world's top-performing chemical industries, achieving outstanding levels of growth, exports, productivity and international investment. The UK's chemical industry is a significant provider of jobs and creator of wealth, with a turnover in excess of £50 billion and a contribution of over £15 Billion of value to the UK economy [2015 figures]. iCAT will deliver highly skilled people to lead this industry across its various sectors, achieving impact through the following actions:

1. Equip the next generation of science and engineering leaders with the interdisciplinary skills and knowledge needed to work across the bio and chemo catalytic remit and build the functional molecules we need to structure society.

2. Provide a highly skilled workforce and research base, skilled in the latest methodologies, strategies and techniques of catalysis and engineering that is crucial for the UK's Chemical Industry.

3. Build the critical mass necessary to support effective cohort-based training in a world-class research environment.

4. Develop and disseminate new catalytic technologies and processes that will be taken up by industrial and academic teams around the world.

5. Encourage Industry to promote research challenges within the CDT that are of core relevance to their business.

6. Provide cohesion in the integration of biocatalysis, engineering and chemocatalysis to create a more unified voice for strategic dialogue with industry, funders and policy makers, and more generally outreach and public engagement.

7. Draw-in and bring together Industrial partners to facilitate future Industrial collaborations.

8. Benefit Industrial scientists through interactions with the CDT (e.g. training and supervisory experience, exposure to cutting-edge synthesis and catalysis etc).

9. Link with other activities in the landscape: bringing unique expertise in catalysis to, for example, externally-funded University-led initiatives, EPRSC Grand Challenge Networks, and the National Catalysis Hub.