Current Challenges and Perspectives in CO2-Based Polymers

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered a renewable one-carbon building block for chemical synthesis owing to its abundance, low toxicity, nonflammability, and availability. The incorporation of CO2 into the polymer backbone affords various ester- or carbonyl-containing moieties, which create desired material properties and impart unique degradability after use under microbial conditions. In this Perspective, we focus on critical advances in CO2-derived polymers and highlight catalytic strategies, novel conceptual routes, and potential application fields. The outlook and perspective are provided to describe the future challenges and new strategies for establishing CO2-based polymers with desired performances and economic competitiveness comparable to that of petroleum-based materials.