2026-06-18 千葉大学
図１：本研究概要
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.chiba-u.ac.jp/news/research-collab/co.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982026001642
CO₂ベースのポリカーボネートネットワークのアンモノリシスにおける炭素-窒素経路 A carbon–nitrogen pathway in the ammonolysis of CO2-based polycarbonate networks
Rikuto Niki, Yusuke Kita, Shuto Uchiumi, Mai Akatsuka, Raj Kishan Agrahari, Pengru Chen, Toyokazu Tsutsuba, Kazuaki Rikiyama, Norio Tomotsu, Tatsuo Taniguchi, Takehiro Kamiya, Masazumi Tamura, Daisuke Aoki
Journal of CO2 Utilization Available online: 18 June 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2026.103475
Highlights
- CO2-derived cross-linked polycarbonate networks.
- Synthetic carbon–nitrogen cycle via ammonolysis.
- Conversion of CO2-based polymers into urea-containing fertilizers.
- Closed-loop recycling integrating CO2 utilization.
- Soft functional polymer networks from CO2.
Abstract
Carbonyl groups serve as key molecular junctions linking the carbon and nitrogen cycles in nature, mediating CO₂ assimilation and nitrogen incorporation into biomass. Translating this carbon–nitrogen coupling logic into synthetic systems offers a new framework for CO₂ utilization and sustainable material lifecycles. In this study, we establish a synthetic carbon–nitrogen pathway using CO₂-derived polymer systems. Cerium oxide (CeO₂) was employed as a catalyst to directly convert CO₂ into both cyclic monomers and cross-linkers, which were subsequently polymerized via ring-opening polymerization to form cross-linked polycarbonate networks. The resulting cross-linked polymer networks, which are soft and widely explored as functional and biodegradable materials, were efficiently decomposed in aqueous ammonia to yield a fertilizer-relevant mixture consisting of urea and regenerable molecular precursors. Importantly, these decomposition products were successfully reconverted into the original monomer and cross-linker using CO₂, thereby demonstrating a closed-loop chemical recycling system that integrates carbon capture and nitrogen utilization. This work provides a new strategy for converting CO₂ into soft, functional cross-linked polymer materials through the synthesis of monomers and cross-linkers, followed by their transformation into value-added nitrogen-containing products via polymer intermediates, highlighting a conceptually distinct approach to carbon–nitrogen cycle engineering in synthetic materials.
