Revolutionizing Sulfur Polymerization with a Biogenic Catalyst Approach

Abstract

This study introduces a novel biogenic catalyst derived from silver grass (SG) that could revolutionize sulfur polymerization, addressing the critical challenge of sulfur waste management. The oil refining industry generates large quantities of sulfur byproducts, which pose significant environmental risks. Inverse vulcanization offers a promising method to convert this waste into valuable polymers, but it traditionally relies on costly and environmentally harmful catalysts. The development of benign, sustainable catalysts is essential to making sulfur polymerization more eco-friendly and scalable. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of the SG biogenic catalyst compared to the conventional chemical catalyst zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (Zn(DTC)₂). Rheological characterizations reveal that the SG catalyst not only outperforms Zn(DTC)₂ at elevated temperatures but also provides superior moisture resistance, enhancing polymer durability. Additionally, the SG-catalyzed polymer exhibits better elasticity and structural integrity under mechanical stress. A density functional theory (DFT)-based study further supports these findings, showing that the SG biochar matrix enables stronger Zn-S coordination, resulting in improved polymer properties. These results highlight the potential of this biogenic catalyst to revolutionize sulfur polymerization, paving the way for more sustainable practices in the chemical industry by converting waste sulfur into valuable polymer resources.