www.sumerlinlab.com

University of Florida Department of Chemistry PO Box 117200 Gainesville FL 32611

Abstract

“Photocatalysis to Derivatize, Depolymerize, and Degrade Polymers”

Relying solely on mild ultraviolet or visible light irradiation of thiocarbonylthio compounds, we have developed a new avenue to well-defined, ultrahigh-molecular-weight (UHMW), and functional (co)polymers. Using either a photocatalyst or relying on the direct activation of photoactive functional groups, we are able to (i) synthesize polymers by aqueous photoiniferter polymerization and (ii) install new functionality to these polymers to prepare copolymers of (meth)acrylates and olefins that are inaccessible by direct copolymerization. Extending these approaches to the rapidly growing field of photocatalytic decarboxylation, we were also able to prepare degradable polymers that have all-carbon backbones. Most recently, we have demonstrated that by employing the traditional conditions of photopolymerization at elevated temperatures, we are able to achieve dramatically accelerated depolymerization to regenerate monomer, suggesting low-energy photochemistry can be leveraged to approach life-cycle circularity. These methods have the potential to create new sustainable examples of stimuli-responsive and self-healing coatings.

Bio

Brent Sumerlin is the George Bergen Butler Chair in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florida. He received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and later earned his PhD in Polymer Science & Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi under the guidance of Charles McCormick. After completing his PhD, Sumerlin worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor/Postdoctoral Research Associate at Carnegie Mellon University under Krzysztof Matyjaszewski. In 2005, he took a faculty position at Southern Methodist University before moving to the University of Florida in 2012. Sumerlin is an associate editor for ACS Macro Letters and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He has received numerous awards, including the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, NSF CAREER Award, ACS Leadership Development Award, Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award, Biomacromolecules/Macromolecules Young Investigator Award, the Hanwha-Total IUPAC Award, and the UF Doctoral Dissertation Mentoring/Advising Award.

Abstract

“Sustainability: An Additive Supplier Perspective”

There is increasing interest and demand for improving the sustainability of the coatings industry. This comes from consumers, applicators, producers, and suppliers, yet sustainability is a complex subject with many possible approaches available. Companies will need to partner together to increase the availability of green energy and transform existing production while working to future-proof the products and solutions offered.

Additives are usually only a small part of a coating formulation but can still play a role in improving sustainability. A holistic approach, based on two pillars, can be used. The first pillar focuses on minimizing the carbon footprint of the production process by using resources more efficiently and reducing emissions. The second pillar targets improving the performance (handprint) by developing new products and technologies to help formulators reduce their environmental impact and maximize coating durability and longevity.

Bio

Jim Reader graduated from Warwick University (UK) in 1988 with a Ph.D. in Chemistry. He joined Air Products in 1988 in Manchester as an Application Development Chemist for Epoxy hardeners. He became Technical Manager for the Specialty Additives business in 1996 and worked in Europe and Asia before moving to Allentown in 2008. He joined Evonik Corporation as a Senior Technical Manager in January 2017.  He has extensive experience in both the development and application of surfactants and defoamers for coatings, inks and other applications.  He is the inventor of one patent and has written over 25 technical papers.

Address
Evonik Corporation
7001 Hamilton Blvd.
Allentown, PA 18087-9115
United States
Phone: 610-573-5127