Furan-based Bioplastics
I am Nejib KASMI, a young polymer chemist, working as Researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden (Ongoing research: Microwave-assisted chemical recycling of “polyester type” plastic and turning it into high-performance recyclable polymers / Development of polyurethane networks derived from hemicellulose sugars). Before joining the Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan- KTH, I recently worked as Research Scientist at the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers in Berlin, Germany (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon). Before that, I worked as Junior Research & Technology Associate at Department of Materials Research and Technology (MRT) at Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Luxembourg (LINK). Prior to that, I undertook Postdoctoral Research in Polymer Chemistry within Bikiaris’s Group at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. I have also worked as research assistant at Padova University, Italy. My research mainly focuses on the Design, Synthesis, and Study of new fully biobased (Furanoate) (Co)polyesters, polyester blends, and also isocyanate-free polyurethanes from renewable resources-derived monomers (2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid, Isosorbide, vanillic acid, caprolactone, etc). These activities have been the subject of 26 published papers in good peer reviewed journals (Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Biomacromolecules, Polymer Degradation and Stability, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, Green Chemistry, European Polymer Journal, Polymers, Polymer Chemistry, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, etc). In March 2018, I achieved my PhD in Polymer Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Dimitrios Bikiaris from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. The title of my PhD dissertation title is “Valorisation of Isosorbide: Synthesis of new functional polymers”. In Nov. 2013, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry (Major: Synthesis and Reactivity in organic chemistry) from the University of Monastir, Tunisia. The title of my Master Thesis is “Synthesis and characterization of new functional structures based on isosorbide”
Important links related to Nejib’s Profile:
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Job-related Skills and Expertise
Deep knowledge of Design, Synthesis and Study of fully biobased polymers, mainly polyesters and copolyesters derived from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA)
Microwave-assisted Chemical Recycling of post-consumer “polyester type” plastics and turning them into high-performance recyclable polymers / Integrating plastic waste in the circular economy
Excellent command of several synthesis techniques of Polyesters: Melt Polycondensation, Solid state Polycondensation, Polymer Blending, In Situ polymerization, Ring-Opening Polymerization, etc.
Sustainable Furan-based polyesters, copolyesters, polyester Blends, and Isocyanate-free polyurethane thermosets
Investigation of crystallization, melting behavior, and biodegradability of renewable (Co-)polyesters
Teaching experience of Master’s students (104 h) at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm – Effective supervision skills (acquired through my experience as co-supervisor of MSc and PhD students)
Organic chemistry / Microwave-assisted organic synthesis
Job-related Keywords
Bioplastics, Biobased Polymers, polyester, renewable resources, copolyesters, 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid, Melt polycondensation, Isosorbide, FDCA, FURAN-based packaging, Isocyanate-free polyurethane, poly(ethylene furanoate), crystallization behavior, microwave-assisted polyester recycling, plastic in circular bio-economy, PEF, Polyester Blends, reactive blending, solid-state polycondensation, biodegradability, structure-property relationship, thermal properties, catalysts, Ring opening polymerization, Vanillic acid, etc.