Compatibilization and Regeneration of PCR PE, PP, and PET Blends through the Addition of Organometallics

• Grant number: 25/04198-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Henrique Staffa
• Grantee: Marina Eichemberger Martinez Mergulhão
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/05519-6 - Regeneration of polymeric blends PP/EVOH by catalytic action with organometallic additives, AP.R
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/24490-4 - Estimation of the Selective Localization of Organometallics in PE/PP/PET PCR Blends via Quantitative Nanomechanics Mapping, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Mechanical recycling of polymers is a route to enable circularity. However, its rates remain low compared to the total volume produced. In this post-consumer material recycling scenario, there is the challenge of the fact that the "input material" may be degraded, and sorting the stated polymers is complex. The treatment of physically mixed plastics and other multi-resin polymeric products requires solutions to overcome the inherent incompatibility and immiscibility of the multicomponent recycled material. Therefore, new compatibilization strategies can be established. Conventional compatibilizers, such as block copolymers or maleated agents, may not be sufficient to enhance the usefulness of the recycled product. The objective is to adopt specialized additives that functionalize one (or more) phase(s) of the mixture with organometallic monolayers, increasing adhesion between phases while simultaneously supporting a "repolymerization" bed through the catalytic action on immiscible polymers. Thus, post-consumer PE, PP, and PET blends will be produced to simulate recycling via extrusion in the presence of a neoalkoxy titanate and/or zirconate based organometallic compound. As results of this process, compatibilized binary and ternary blends are expected, which will be characterized in terms of morphology, thermal, mechanical, and rheological. The goal is to enhance the usefulness of the recycled product by adding an organometallic compound, enabling new alternatives through the in situ macromolecular regeneration of PP and PE (metallocene-like) and possibly PET transesterification.