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ESR 4

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ESR 4
An innovative catalytic system for the exchange reaction of phosphate esters with N-nucleophiles towards the production of sustainable and recyclable phosphorus flame-retardant additives
 

  • TITLE: An innovative catalytic system for the exchange reaction of phosphate esters with N-nucleophiles
    towards the production of sustainable and recyclable phosphorus flame-retardant additives

  • HOST: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium)

  • MAIN SUPERVISOR: Prof. dr. Dirk De Vos (KUL)

  • CO-SUPERVISOR: Prof. dr. Thomas Lucyshyn (MUL)

  • START DATE: 01.04.2020

  • DURATION: 36 months

  • REQUIRED DEGREE: Master degree in Chemistry, in Bio-engineering or any equivalent degree

  • REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS: We expect a solid base of (applied) organic chemistry, especially oriented towards industrial production. Expertise in organic analysis via NMR, (GC)MS or FTIR is required. Familiarity with homogeneous and / or heterogeneous catalysis is a plus.

  • OBJECTIVES: The objective is the development of a sustainable method for preparing new and recyclable phosphorus based flame-retardant additives, in view of the need to replace brominated compounds. To this aim, Lewis acidic catalysts for exchange reactions of phosphate esters with N-nucleophiles (like anilines) will be studied. In particular, solid catalysts are envisioned to facilitate product workup. Besides, the fate of different flame retardants will be evaluated in solvent-based recycling and reprocessing operations.

  • PLANNED SECONDMENTS: MUL for analysing the fate of flame retardants during the (re)processing in polymers such as polyolefins (M23-M25 and M35-37); Internship at Vanheede (M17-18) to learn how additives affect sorting and recycling on industrial level (and tailor accordingly afterwards).

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This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 859885.

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