We report a method to synthesize ultra-high-molecular-weight
poly(1,3-dioxolane)
(UHMW pDXL), a chemically recyclable thermoplastic material with excellent
physical properties. We aimed to enhance the mechanical properties
of sustainable polymers by increasing the molecular weight and found
that UHMW pDXL exhibits similar tensile properties to ultra-high-molecular-weight
polyethylene (UHMWPE). The new polymerization method uses metal-free
and economically friendly initiators to achieve UHMW pDXL with molecular
weights greater than 1000 kDa. The development of UHMW pDXL provides
a potential solution for capturing value from plastic waste and addressing
the detrimental effects of plastic waste.
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