Ionic Liquid Technology for Biodegradable Film Recycling and Monomer Recovery
Hydrophobic, non-volatile Bronsted-acidic ionic liquids cleave acid-sensitive linkages in biopolymers to regenerate monomers. Products are easily separated by distillation, supercritical CO2 extraction, or decantation, enabling closed-loop recycling of biodegradable films.
Overview
This solution offers a chemical recycling approach for biodegradable films using hydrophobic, non-volatile Bronsted-acidic ionic liquids. The ionic liquids selectively cleave acid-sensitive linkages within biopolymers to regenerate their constituent monomers, enabling a circular lifecycle for biodegradable packaging materials. Because the ionic liquids are non-volatile and hydrophobic, the monomeric products can be separated through distillation, supercritical CO2 extraction, or simple decantation, simplifying downstream purification and allowing the ionic liquids to be reused in subsequent cycles.
Technical specifications
- Selective depolymerization: Bronsted-acidic ionic liquids target and cleave acid-sensitive linkages in biopolymers, releasing monomeric building blocks
- Hydrophobic, non-volatile media: the ionic liquid phase remains stable and contained, preventing evaporative losses and simplifying handling
- Multiple separation options: recovered monomers can be isolated by distillation, supercritical CO2 extraction, or decantation depending on the system
- Catalyst reuse potential: the non-volatile ionic liquid phase can be recovered and recycled for additional depolymerization cycles
- Established chemistry foundation: the underlying acid-catalyzed reaction methodology has been demonstrated across multiple reaction types and documented in peer-reviewed publications
Technology readiness level
The underlying ionic liquid chemistry has been validated through prior peer-reviewed publications describing acid-catalyzed reactions and product separation. The next stage of development involves evaluating the ionic liquids against sponsor-provided biodegradable films, performing the depolymerization reactions, separating the resulting products, and confirming their chemical identities using NMR and mass spectroscopy. The technology is currently at an early-to-mid readiness stage, ready for sponsored feasibility evaluation and optimization with specific film formulations.
About University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama is a public, doctoral research university in Mobile serving the Gulf Coast with comprehensive academic programs and a growing research enterprise. Industry engagement is enabled by an integrated academic health system—university hospitals and clinics supporting clinical trials—and by an on‑campus research and technology park that co‑locates companies with faculty. Core facilities, prototyping spaces, and a responsive sponsored programs office help collaborators move from concept to pilot quickly. Its position near a deep‑water port, logistics infrastructure, and an established aerospace and shipbuilding corridor offers ready access to suppliers, testbeds, and a skilled regional workforce. Research is supported by competitive funding from agencies such as the NIH, NSF, and the Department of Defense, and a dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP protection, licensing, and startup formation with industry‑friendly agreements.
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