Erin E. Stache

Research in our lab aims to integrate diverse fields, including organic chemistry, photochemistry, inorganic materials, and polymer chemistry, to pioneer fresh advancements in materials science and synthesis. One major aspect of our research is finding solutions for a more sustainable plastics economy. This work involves the application of innovative catalytic methods to formulate previously unexplored strategies for polymerization. Central to this approach is the discovery of novel monomers that unlock access to unprecedented materials, facilitating an in-depth exploration of their potential applications.

While techniques for producing high volume commercial plastics like polyethylene and polystyrene have attained a high level of sophistication, our lab also recognizes the pressing need to address the inadequate strategies for managing these materials at the end of their lifecycle. Another pivotal focus of our work lies in recycling commercial plastics to commodity chemicals, forging a pathway for valorization of plastic waste. Additionally, developing strategies for chemical recycling to monomer, to access a truly cyclic plastic economy, is a major focus of catalyst and material development. Our primary approach uses a light-to-heat conversion strategy, known as photothermal conversion, to produce intense thermal gradients capable of depolymerizing commercial plastics. We are studying photothermal conversion agents and catalysts to promote such a transformation to be applied to post-consumer waste.

In addition to our work in sustainable polymer chemistry, we are interested in exploring photothermal conversion as a general strategy for organic synthesis. Photon-mediated chemical processes offer a pathway to create complex, biologically significant compounds, a critical pursuit within the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry. Yet, numerous reactions essential to synthesis often rely on the application of intense heat to activate chemical bonds. We aim to use photothermal conversion to overcome energy intensive and inefficient aspects tied to conventional bulk heating methods.