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

本研究的目的是利用可再生和可持续的资源合成和表征新的功能聚合物。具体地说，将制备基于衣康酸酐（ITA）的离聚物，它是由柠檬酸衍生的。将合成三种类型的体系：基于高支化聚l -乳酸的随机离聚体和以聚己内酯和聚乙二醇为骨架的两种远旋离聚体。官能团将通过涉及ITA的共聚或端盖反应引入，而离聚体将通过ITA重复单元的水解和中和形成。聚合物的微观结构、物理和粘弹性性能将被表征为离子浓度和反离子选择的函数。还将进行探索性实验，以评估离子单体在各种应用（水凝胶、增容剂、涂料和粘合剂）中的应用。可再生的植物和木材原料是聚合物的有吸引力的替代原料，因为单体比石油基单体便宜，而且聚合物可以设计成使用后可生物降解，从而消除了与石油基塑料相关的许多环境和处理问题。本研究探索了生物衍生聚合物的新方向，即合成功能聚合物以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、粘合剂和增容剂。本研究涉及生物衍生聚合物的基本化学和物理。该研究还将培养高分子化学和工程方面的本科生和研究生，并为他们提供新兴领域“绿色化学”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".