Degradable Polyketone Thermoplastic Elastomers with Biomass Sourced Composition

S Shi‐Yu Chen (State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China) M Meng‐Xin Zhang (State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China) S Shi‐Huan Li (State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China) W Wen‐Li Zhang (State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China) X Xiao‐Bing Lu (State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Dalian University of Technology Dalian China) Y Ye Liu

Abstract

Abstract Polyolefin elastomers (POEs) serve as versatile materials bridging rubber and plastic properties across a variety of industrial processes, but their environmental persistence stemming from inert hydrocarbon composition raises ecological concerns. Here, we present a sustainable synthesis of degradable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) through the carbonylative polymerization of ethylene and biomass‐derived polar monomers (PMs). A cost‐effective and scalable nickel catalyst has overcome the dual poison to metal center resulted from polar acid or ester motif and CO, enabling the synthesis of high‐molecular‐weight polyketone materials with moderate strain recovery (SR) values ranging from 27% to 61%. The resulting polyketones exhibit high melting temperature (109 °C–244 °C) and tensile strength (14.9–41.6 MPa), corresponding to thermally resistant TPEs. This study demonstrates one type of high‐performance TPEs having biomass sourced composition that combine industrial durability with photodegradability.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 46
Published November 10, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (6)

S

Shi‐Yu Chen

State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China

M

Meng‐Xin Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China

S

Shi‐Huan Li

State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China

W

Wen‐Li Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology Dalian 116024 China

X

Xiao‐Bing Lu

State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Dalian University of Technology Dalian China

Y

Ye Liu