TY - JOUR
T1 - Towards sustainable synthesis
T2 - a life cycle assessment of polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) by green mechanosynthesis
AU - Loh, Sean
AU - Huang, Rui
AU - Bell, Roy
AU - Xie, Ming
N1 - C. Y. L. would like to thank the EPSRC for PhD studentship. R. H. would like to acknowledge the financial support from China Scholarship Council. Authors also thanked financial support from Royal Society of Chemistry (research fund R21-4839757049) and Royal Society International Exchange (IEC\NSFC\211021).
PY - 2023/12/1
Y1 - 2023/12/1
N2 - Mechanochemistry represents an emerging technology that facilitates chemical reactions through the application of mechanical energy. This straightforward technique enhances reaction efficiency, expediting the process in an environmentally friendly, solvent-free manner. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) belongs to a class of polymers characterized by intrinsic microporosity, remarkable processability, and high adsorption capacity, rendering them well-suited for gas-related applications. However, conventional wet chemical synthesis methods of PIM-1 often necessitate substantial solvent usage, leading to significant and enduring environmental impacts. In this study, we present an alternative approach, harnessing green mechanochemical reactions to produce PIM-1. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to compare and simulate the environmental impacts of both wet chemical and mechanosynthesis methods. Our findings indicate the successful qualitative synthesis of PIM-1 through mechanochemistry, resulting in a notable reduction of environmental impacts, approximately 1.5 times less compared to the conventional wet chemical synthesis route. This advancement holds great promise for advancing sustainable and eco-friendly polymer synthesis methods.
AB - Mechanochemistry represents an emerging technology that facilitates chemical reactions through the application of mechanical energy. This straightforward technique enhances reaction efficiency, expediting the process in an environmentally friendly, solvent-free manner. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) belongs to a class of polymers characterized by intrinsic microporosity, remarkable processability, and high adsorption capacity, rendering them well-suited for gas-related applications. However, conventional wet chemical synthesis methods of PIM-1 often necessitate substantial solvent usage, leading to significant and enduring environmental impacts. In this study, we present an alternative approach, harnessing green mechanochemical reactions to produce PIM-1. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to compare and simulate the environmental impacts of both wet chemical and mechanosynthesis methods. Our findings indicate the successful qualitative synthesis of PIM-1 through mechanochemistry, resulting in a notable reduction of environmental impacts, approximately 1.5 times less compared to the conventional wet chemical synthesis route. This advancement holds great promise for advancing sustainable and eco-friendly polymer synthesis methods.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85176789993&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1039/D3SU00340J
DO - 10.1039/D3SU00340J
M3 - Article
SN - 2753-8125
VL - 1
SP - 2287
EP - 2295
JO - RSC Sustainability
JF - RSC Sustainability
IS - 9
ER -
