MaP Award

Chemical Recycling of Polymers Synthesized by Controlled and Free Radical Polymerization

Short CV
Hyun Suk Wang received his B.Eng and M.Eng in Chemical Engineering from Korea University. He then obtained his PhD at ETH Zurich under the supervision of Prof. Athina Anastasaki as a Swiss Government Excellence Scholar. During his PhD, Hyun Suk’s research revolved around polymer chemistry and the chemical recycling of plastics through depolymerization. 

Your doctorate project in two sentences
To mitigate the growing plastic waste stream, my doctorate project focused on reverting polymers to their starting materials, their monomers, at temperatures much lower than that of pyrolysis. This was achieved by activating either the end or the middle of the polymer chain under reaction conditions that thermodynamically drive depolymerization.

Why did you choose this doctorate project?
Polymer science has fascinated me since my Master’s studies, naturally leading me to pursue a doctorate in polymer synthesis. In my first year at ETH, COVID forced me out of the lab, allowing me to reflect on how my research could make a meaningful impact. I realized that leveraging polymer chemistry to deconstruct plastics was a promising avenue. With my supervisor’s support, I embarked on a journey to depolymerize polymers at low temperatures—a pursuit that began with six months of failed experiments which laid the foundation for future discoveries!

Future plans
In the short term, I plan to expand my expertise as a postdoctoral researcher by exploring a new field. Specifically, I aim to investigate mechanophore-containing materials—polymers that undergo chemical transformations under mechanical force—due to their potential to enable next-generation, responsive materials. In the long term, I aspire to integrate my knowledge of high-performance materials and the chemical recycling of commodity plastics to contribute to the advancement of sustainable polymer technologies. My goal is to help establish a research initiative that fosters collaboration between academia and industry, driving innovation in sustainable materials while supporting the chemical industry's transition toward more environmentally responsible manufacturing practices.