Synthesis and properties of carbon dioxide based copolymers

The utilization of CO2 as a raw material to prepare high value-added chemicals has attracted extensive attention because it is an abundant, cheap and renewable C1 source. Currently, two CO2 copolymers have been proved of industry value. One is CO2 based plastics (PPC), and the other is CO2 based polyurethane (CO2-PU), which are synthesized from copolymerization or telomerization of CO2 and propylene oxide, respectively. The 20 years’ research in Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry witnessed the great progress in synthesis and performance improvement of CO2 based copolymers. Though challenges still exist, their bright future is predictable.