A multidisciplinary team of researchers from Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech and the California Institute of Technology has developed a new approach to transform one of the world's most challenging plastic waste streams into high-performance lubricants with exceptional energy-saving potential, creating a pathway toward more efficient industrial technologies.
The research demonstrates a method for converting polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a widely used plastic with a recycling rate of less than 1%, into polyalphaolefin lubricants that exhibit exceptional friction and wear performance. The discovery could help address growing plastic waste challenges while advancing lubrication technologies for industries around the world.
Dr. Ali Erdemir , University Distinguished Professor and Halliburton Chair in the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, led the tribology research efforts behind the study "Upcycling of polyvinyl chloride into polyalphaolefin lubricants." The work was recently published in Nature, one of the world's most prestigious multidisciplinary scientific journals.
PVC is one of the most produced plastics globally, with approximately 60 million metric tons manufactured annually for use in various household and industrial products. Despite its widespread use, PVC remains one of the least recycled plastics, creating challenges for managing plastic waste and its environmental impact.
Through the team's new research, millions of metric tons of PVC waste could potentially be transformed into high-value lubricants. This transformation occurs through a series of chemical reactions performed at relatively low temperatures, making it an efficient and economically viable alternative to traditional lubricant production methods. The resulting lubricants demonstrate promising properties, including versatility, higher yield and the potential to advance more sustainable approaches across the plastic and lubricant industries.
"We did not know if the upcycled product would have any lubrication properties or compete with existing synthetic lubricants," Erdemir said. "Our research at Texas A&M demonstrated their extraordinary lubrication performance, making them highly attractive for broader industrial applications."
The study brought together expertise from multiple institutions. Researchers at Virginia Tech developed the PVC conversion process, while the California Institute of Technology team contributed molecular modeling and simulations. Erdemir's research group at Texas A&M investigated the lubrication mechanisms and performance of the resulting materials. The research group includes postdoctoral scholar Dr. Seungjoo Lee and Ph.D. student Gugyeong Sung.
For Erdemir, the publication represents both a scientific achievement and a step toward developing solutions for global engineering challenges.
"Our research lab is keenly interested in high-efficiency and sustainable lubrication strategies," Erdemir said. "This work aligns perfectly with the core mission of our research lab."
Erdemir's research focuses on tribology — the study of friction, wear and lubrication — and aims to develop technologies that improve energy efficiency, reliability and sustainability. His previous work has advanced areas including diamond-like carbon coatings, graphene-based lubricants and superlubricity, a state where friction between surfaces is dramatically reduced.
Building on this foundation, the new study strives to demonstrate how interdisciplinary collaboration can transform materials into advanced technologies with potential benefits for industries, the environment and society.
By Taylor Northcut, J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
