University of Victoria Chemist Develops Greener Plastics with Nitrogen

Research at the University of Victoria (UVic) is paving the way for environmentally friendly plastics through innovative use of inorganic materials. Under the leadership of Saurabh Chitnis, a recently appointed Tier II Canada Research Chair in Inorganic Polymers and Materials, the focus is on exploring the lesser-known elements of the periodic table, particularly nitrogen, to create more sustainable alternatives to traditional carbon-based plastics.

Chitnis highlights a critical gap in chemistry education, stating, “For hundreds of years, chemistry has focused on the organic elements, the elements of life, such as carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. The other hundred-plus elements remain poorly understood, but offer incredible potential.” His research aims to tap into this potential by embedding inorganic elements into polymers, thereby enhancing their properties and reducing their environmental impact.

Transforming Plastic Production

The ubiquity of synthetic materials such as plastics, fabrics, and adhesives in modern life poses significant environmental challenges. Traditional carbon-based polymers, used in everything from water bottles to furniture, often lack thermal stability and degrade slowly, contributing to landfill waste. Chitnis emphasizes the limitations of organic polymers, stating, “They are sensitive to radiation, which poses a problem for the growing aerospace industry and for anyone who wants to leave their patio furniture outside in the sun all summer.”

Chitnis’s research is particularly focused on developing nitrogen-based polymers. By manipulating nitrogen, typically found in gaseous form, his lab is discovering new methods to incorporate it into stable polymer structures. This innovation could lead to the creation of plastics that are not only more stable and versatile but also environmentally friendly. “Nitrogen, which comprises 78% of the air on Earth, is abundant and fossil fuel-free,” Chitnis explains. “Nitrogen-based plastics can also be fed to plants at the end of their life cycle, acting as a fertilizer as they slowly degrade, creating a circular economy.”

Pursuing Fundamental Research

While the practical applications of his work are notable, Chitnis is driven by fundamental questions in inorganic chemistry. He believes that the novelty of this field democratizes scientific discovery, stating, “When you work in such a new area, it really democratizes science. Anyone can make a big discovery, because not that much is known and there’s so much waiting to be discovered.”

Beyond polymer research, his lab is also delving into metal coordination chemistry to improve chemical synthesis efficiency. With expertise in elements like phosphorus, nitrogen, and bismuth, Chitnis is at the forefront of cutting-edge research. He notes, “It’s impossible to always know the implications or future applications of basic, fundamental science. We don’t know what fundamental science today is going to be the basis of fundamental technology in the future.”

Chitnis returned to UVic in July 2025, having completed his PhD there in 2015. His academic journey includes postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Bristol and the University of Toronto, as well as a seven-year tenure at Dalhousie University, where he received the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship. Reflecting on his return, he states, “It’s really gratifying to be able to return to UVic and become friends with my former professors and see a different side of my colleagues.”

With his pioneering research in inorganic materials, Chitnis is poised to make significant contributions to both scientific knowledge and sustainable technology, underscoring the vital role of chemistry in addressing environmental challenges.