Functional Polymers From Renewable Resources -- Itaconic and Lactic Acids (TSE03-B)

本研究的目的是从可再生和可持续的资源中合成和表征新的功能聚合物。具体地说，将制备基于从柠檬酸衍生的衣康酸酐(ITA)的离聚体。合成了三种类型的体系：基于高支化聚(L-乳酸)的无规离聚体和两种带有聚己内酯和聚乙二醇键的遥螺旋离聚体。官能团将通过与ITA的共聚或封端反应引入，离聚体将通过ITA重复单元的水解和中和而形成。聚合物的微观结构以及物理和粘弹性性能将被表征为离子浓度和反离子的选择的函数。还将进行探索性实验，以评估离聚体在各种应用(水凝胶、相容剂、涂层和粘合剂)中的应用。可再生的植物和木材原料是有吸引力的聚合物替代原料，因为单体比石油单体成本更低，而且聚合物可以在使用后设计为可生物降解，从而消除了与石油塑料相关的大部分环境和处置问题。这项研究为生物衍生聚合物探索了一个新的方向，即合成功能聚合物来取代石油基聚合物在聚合物共混物中的应用，如水凝胶、涂料、粘合剂和相容剂。这项研究涉及生物衍生聚合物的基本化学和物理。该研究还将培养聚合物化学和工程方面的本科生和研究生，并为他们提供“绿色化学”这一新兴领域的经验。

The objective of this research is to synthesize and characterize new functional polymers from renewable and sustainable resources. Specifically, ionomers based on itaconic anhydride (ITA), which is derived from citric acid, will be prepared. Three types of systems will be synthesized: random ionomers based on highly branched poly(L-latic acid) and two types of telechelic ionomers with polycaprolactone and poly(ethylene glycol) backbones. The functional groups will be introduced by copolymerization or end-capping reactions involving ITA, and the ionomers will be formed by the hydrolysis and neutralization of the ITA repeat units. The microstructure and the physical and viscoelastic properties of the polymers will be characterized as a function of ionic concentration and the choice of the counterion. Probing experiments to assess the application of the ionomers in a variety of applications (hydrogels, compatibilizers, coatings and adhesives) will also be carried out. Renewable plant- and wood-based raw materials are attractive alternative starting materials for polymers as the monomers are less costly than petroleum-based monomers and the polymers can be designed to be biodegradable after use, thus eliminating much of the environmental and disposal problems associated with petroleum-based plastics. This research explores a new direction for bio-derived polymers, namely the synthesis of functional polymers to replace petroleum-based polymers in applications such as hydrogels, coatings, adhesives and compatibilizers in polymer blends. The research addressess the basic chemistry and physics of bioderived polymers. The research will also train undergraduate and graduate students in polymer chemistry and engineering and in provide them experience in the emerging field of "Green Chemistry".