About the Project
Polymers play an essential role in modern society, with the construction sector representing one of the largest consumers of plastic materials. Polymeric insulation foams are particularly important, providing the thermal efficiency required to reduce energy consumption and achieve ambitious global carbon reduction targets. However, many commercially used polyurethane insulation materials are manufactured from fossil-derived isocyanates, which present both environmental and health concerns. Developing sustainable alternatives to these materials is therefore a major scientific and industrial challenge.
This PhD project will focus on the development of next-generation non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) for insulation applications. NIPUs can be synthesised through the reaction of amines with cyclic carbonates, offering a safer and more sustainable route to polyurethane materials. Importantly, cyclic carbonates can be produced using captured CO₂, while a range of diamine building blocks can be sourced from biomass, creating opportunities for significantly reducing the carbon footprint of insulation products.
Despite their promise, the practical implementation of NIPUs remains challenging because the polymerisation reactions are generally too slow to enable the rapid curing and foaming processes required for industrial insulation manufacture. This project will address these limitations through a combination of catalyst design, polymer synthesis and materials characterisation.
The key research questions are:
Can the rate of NIPU formation be significantly enhanced through the development of homogeneous metal-based catalysts?
Can bio-derived monomers be incorporated into NIPU formulations while maintaining the thermal and mechanical properties required for insulation applications?
Can NIPU materials be chemically recycled through depolymerisation to regenerate valuable monomers and support a circular materials economy?
The project will provide extensive training across several areas of modern chemical research, including synthetic coordination chemistry, homogeneous catalysis, polymer synthesis and advanced analytical techniques. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience with a wide range of characterisation methods, including NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry and polymer analysis.
The research will be conducted in close collaboration with Kingspan Insulation, a global leader in high-performance building insulation materials. The student will benefit from regular interaction with industrial researchers, exposure to commercially relevant challenges and opportunities for site visits and knowledge exchange, ensuring that the research is aligned with real-world applications and industrial needs.
This project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of sustainable, recyclable insulation materials that support the transition towards net-zero buildings and a circular plastics economy.