Polymer Circularity in Sustainable Energy

Polymer Circularity in Sustainable Energy offers a comprehensive overview of the recycling and reuse of polymers in specific energy technologies. The book discusses the fundamental aspects of polymer chemistry, global challenges in polymer waste management, regulatory frameworks for polymer recycling, and technological advances in polymer sorting and separation. The initial chapters explore different methods of polymer reuse, including mechanical and chemical recycling, as well as chemical depolymerization for electroactive polymers. Sections then examine the applications of recycled polymers such as polyurethanes, polyvinylidene fluoride, and other polymers in specific energy technologies, including photovoltaics, fuel cells, space energy systems, and battery technologies.

The book also discusses the integration of artificial intelligence in polymer recycling for energy solutions and presents case studies on polymer recycling projects in the energy sector. It further addresses the challenges and opportunities in scaling up polymer recycling infrastructure. It will serve as a valuable reference for researchers and scientists in polymer science and engineering, as well as industry professionals in renewable energy and waste management who are interested on optimizing the use of polymers while minimizing waste generation in the energy industry.

• Features several polymer recycling methods, such as mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, pyrolysis, gasification, and depolymerization
• Detailed discussions on the principles, advantages, limitations, and applications of each technique covered
• Discusses how new technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, mechanical milling, and robotics, can revolutionize recycling processes, enhance efficiency, and minimize environmental impacts
• Showcases diverse case studies illustrating successful polymer recycling projects in the energy sector

Sabu Thomas is currently an Emeritus Professor of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He is the former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University and a Senior Professor of Christ University, Bangalore, India, as well as a visiting Professor at the Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and an Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, IIT Roorkee, India.

Dr Bruno Ameduri leads the “Fluoropolymers and Energy” team at the Polymer Department of the Institute Charles Gerhardt in Montpellier, France. His main interests focus on the synthesis and the characterization of fluorinated monomers, including cure site monomers and telechelics, telomers, and copolymers for various applications such as F-surfactants, elastomers, coatings, and polymers related to energy (fuel cell membranes, polymer gel electrolytes for Li-ions batteries, electroactive materials and PV).

Dr. Jince Thomas is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto, Canada. He previously served as an Assistant Professor (on contract) at the International and Inter- University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, where he was later awarded the Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Postdoctoral Fellowship. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University. Dr. Thomas has contributed to a collaborative Indo- Malaysian research program with Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia, and has held visiting research positions at Ariel University in Israel and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA. He is the author and co- author of numerous peer- reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes. His research focuses on polymeric membranes,
electrolytes, polymer nanocomposites, and electrochemical energy systems, with a strong focus on computational simulations to support materials design and performance evaluation

Dr. Martin George Thomas is Assistant Professor at Christ University, Bangalore, India. Dr. Thomas works in the area of recycling and reuse of fluoropolymers being used in membrane applications. Prior to joining the University of Montpellier, he worked as a Research Engineer in Selenis Specialty Polyester Solutions, Italy. Dr. Thomas has completed his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the area of polymer science and engineering. He earned his PhD in the domain of polymer materials science/physical chemistry at the University of Pau, France, where he focused on marine-based bio-polymer-based materials. During his undergraduate and master programmes, he has undertaken research internships under the supervision of Prof. Manfred Stamm at the Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF Dresden), Germany, and the University of Maastricht under the guidance of Prof. Sanjay Rastogi in the Netherlands, respectively.