At Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), Dr. Elias Feghali, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Engineering (FE) and coordinator of the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering programs, is currently leading the efforts towards the development of chemical recycling methods that facilitate the decomposition of waste polymers into high-added value products that could be subsequently re-polymerized to generate an array of functional materials.
The widespread utilization of polymer materials results in millions of tons of waste plastics every year. Over the last decade, converting waste plastics to valuable resources has been a primary objective for researchers; nevertheless, most plastic recycling methods still rely on mechanical processes that are limited to relatively pure polymers.
Since 2019, with the support of Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), Dr. Elena Baranova of the University of Ottawa (UO) and Dr. Henri Wortham of Aix-Marseille University (AMU) have been collaborating on a research venture titled, “Chemical recycling of oxygenated polymer materials into high added-value products.” The topic inspired several senior projects of Chemical Engineering (CHE) students at NDU, particularly following a webinar delivered by Dr. Baranova herself.
Dr. Feghali and his students set to develop a depolymerization mixture at the University. As the research unfolded, so did the opportunities: two CHE students, Joelle Kazan and Charles Der Boghossian, visited France for an internship at AMU’s Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry (LCE), accompanied by Dr. Nathalie Hayeck, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Lebanese American University (LAU). The purpose of the internship was to analyze the prepared mixture, allowing the students to witness the process first-hand and use advanced chemical characterization equipment, such as HPLC-UV-MS.
Student Christy Abou Saab similarly received an internship, although at a different institution. Given NDU’s long-standing relationship with the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Christy was able to work along with Dr. Feghali for two months on VITO’s Sustainable Polymer Technologies (SPOT) team, led by Dr. Karolien Vanbroekhoven, exploring the potential of chemical recycling through solubilization processes.
NDU’s approach to chemical recycling of plastics creates sustainability in the life-cycle management of plastic waste, with wider uses than current recycling methods. With the involvement of renowned international researchers, the ultimate aim is to create a viable and sustainable solution for a global problem, while exposing NDU students to the most recent technologies in the field.