Ultrathin Zn-Gallate Catalyst: A Remarkable Performer in CO<sub>2</sub> and Propylene Oxide Polymerization
Yongmoon Yang, Kihyuk Sung, Jong Doo Lee, Junho Ha, Heeyoun Kim, Jinsu Baek, Jeong Hwa Seo, Seung‐Joo Kim, Bun Yeoul Lee, Seung Uk Son, Byeong‐Su Kim, Yongsun Kim, Ji‐Yong Park, Hye‐Young Jang
Abstract
Zn-gallate, an innovative catalyst synthesized using cost-effective zinc salts and gallic acid without complicated synthetic procedures, has been successfully applied in the copolymerization of CO 2 and propylene oxide. Zn-gallate displays exceptionally thin sheets with a thickness of 1–2 nm, leading to remarkable catalytic activity, high carbonate linkage proportion, and minimal monomer formation (3.01 kg/g-cat, f CO 2 = 0.97, and selectivity 91%). Zn-gallate outperforms other heterogeneous catalysts for the polymerization of CO 2 and propylene oxide. Furthermore, the polycarbonates synthesized using Zn-gallate exhibit substantially high molecular weights. A comprehensive characterization of Zn-gallate has been undertaken, employing SEM, TEM, BET, AFM, PXRD, IR, CP-TOSS 13 C NMR, XPS, TGA, and ICP analyses, which provided valuable insights into the exceptional catalytic properties of this novel catalyst.