Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a versatile and durable solid catalyst that can be used to produce synthetic polymers more sustainably.
A multidisciplinary international collaboration, led by Dr Stephanie Chapman and Professor Robert Raja, was instrumental in the design of the novel hierarchical catalyst, which produces a nylon precursor in high yield.
The industrial catalyst could be used in the sustainable manufacture of Nylon-6, or polycaprolactam, a polymer that is used in a range of materials including carpets, seat belts and parachutes.
Link: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/news/2020/09/08-novel-catalyst-design.page