Frank Leibfarth

2025 National Award Winner — Faculty

Frank Leibfarth

Current Position:
Royce Murray Distinguished Term Professor of Chemistry

Institution:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Discipline:
Polymer Chemistry

Recognized for: Pioneering approaches to upcycle plastic waste and remove toxic ‘forever chemicals’ from water by developing reactions and catalysts that selectively control the structure and function of polymers.


Areas of Research Interest and Expertise:
Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Water Treatment, Sustainability

Previous Positions:

B.A., University of South Dakota, USA
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, USA (Advisor: Craig J. Hawker)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA (Advisor: Timothy F. Jamison)
Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Co-Director, NC Pure Project, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Co-Founder, Sorbenta Inc.
Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research Summary:

Frank Leibfarth, PhD, imparts new function into old polymers to address urgent environmental challenges. Leibfarth’s research has advanced three approaches to tackle plastic pollution: first, by developing methods to functionalize inert C–H bonds in plastic waste for upcycling of commodity polymers into stronger, more valuable materials; second, by uncovering a new class of recyclable thermoplastics through the design of stereoselective catalysts for bio-based monomers; and third, by inventing high-affinity polymer resins that selectively capture toxic ‘forever chemicals’ from contaminated water. These innovations have influenced state policy, enabled pilot-scale water treatment systems, and launched commercial ventures. Combining molecular-level precision with large-scale application, Leibfarth’s work redefines the role of polymer chemistry in advancing sustainability.

“I am privileged to work with ambitious scientists who care deeply about making plastics more sustainable and removing forever chemicals from water. We strive to make fundamental advances in chemical reactivity and selectivity that result in a more sustainable world.”

Key Publications:

  1. A. J. Teator, F. A. Leibfarth. Catalyst-Controlled Stereoselective Cationic Polymerization of Vinyl Ethers. Science, 2019.
  2. T. J. Fazekas, J. W. Alty, A. S. Miller, E. K. Neidhart, F. A. Leibfarth, E. J. Alexanian. A Diversification of aliphatic C–H bonds in small molecules and polyolefins through radical chain transfer. Science, 2022.
  3. E. Kumarasamy, I. M. Manning, L. B. Collins, O. Coronell, F. A. Leibfarth. Ionic Fluorogels for Remediation of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances from Water. ACS Central Science, 2020.
  4. E. K. Neidhart, M. Hua, Z. Peng, L. T. Kearney, V. Bhat, F. Vashahi, E. J. Alexanian, S. S. Sheiko, C. Wang, B. A. Helms, F. A. Leibfarth. C–H Functionalization of Polyolefins to Access Reprocessable Polyolefin Thermosets. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2023.

Other Honors:

2025 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
2022 Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award
2021 UNC Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
2021 Named one of the “Brilliant 10” early career scientists by Popular Science
2021 UNC Winter Commencement Speaker
2020 Cottrell Scholar Award
2020 Sloan Research Fellowship in Chemistry
2020 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award
2019 Named among “Talented 12” by Chemical & Engineering News
2019 Beckman Young Investigator

In the Media: 

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