Page 11 - PERIODIC Magazine Issue 7

specific sequence. Recently, the group has combined switchable
catalysis with the CO2-harnessing method described above
to synthesise block copolymers incorporating CO2 released in
earlier reactions.

Biodegradable polymers for medical applications
Starting with waste biomass, the Williams group has
synthesised polymers that are biorenewable, biocompatible
and biodegradable. These properties are attractive for medical
applications, and the group has multiple collaborations to
explore their use in fields such as tissue engineering. A recent
DPhil student Gloria Rosetto examines a polymer partially made from CO in the publication describes the synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers,
2
Williams lab.
meaning they contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic
Econic Technologies, a company with 35 employees sections. This feature drives the polymers to self-assemble
in which Professor Williams serves as Chief Scientific into vesicles in water. Because the vesicles are completely
Officer, was born out of this research. It has successfully biodegradable, they have exciting potential for controlled drug
used waste CO2 to make the base material for delivery.
polyurethanes, which is used for products ranging
from shoe soles to home insulation. The economic and
environmental potential of Econic Technologies has been
recognised with its receiving over £13 million in funding
and numerous awards, such as being named a 2019
Global Cleantech 100 Company.

Controlled polymerisation of
monomer mixtures
Copolymers are made of different monomers, and it
remains a challenge to control the polymerisation process
to obtain specific, reproducible products. The Williams
group has developed a method to switch a single catalyst Checking polymer samples for degradation under various physiologically relevant
conditions.
between reaction states in a mixture of monomers.
Such “switchable catalysis” has enabled the controlled
production of copolymers containing up to 27 blocks in a The future of plastics
For Professor Williams, improving the sustainability of the
plastics industry has long been a driving passion. The challenge
is to develop eco-friendly materials that retain useful properties
and can be manufactured low cost at a large scale. With growing
public awareness of plastic pollution, she believes we are at a
nexus where consumer pressure and fundamental research
can combine to effect change. In fact, alongside her ESPRC
fellowship, she will literally be exploring “The Future of Plastics”,
an aptly-named multidisciplinary project with the Oxford Martin
School starting in October. Along with fellow project leads
economist Cameron Hepburn and lawyer Catherine Redgwell,
Professor Williams will be investigating how chemistry research,
economic stimuli and legislative frameworks can create, to
paraphrase Mr. McGuire, a “great[er] future in plastics.” Stay
tuned to see what that might look like!

Polymerisation reactions incorporating CO at 1 bar pressure
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Periodic
The Magazine of the Department of Chemistry