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，将制备基于衍生自柠檬酸的衣康酸酐（ITA）的离聚物。 三种类型的系统将被合成：基于高度支化的聚（L-乳酸）的无规离聚物和两种类型的遥爪离聚物与聚己内酯和聚（乙二醇）骨干。 官能团将通过涉及ITA的共聚或封端反应引入，离聚物将通过ITA重复单元的水解和中和形成。 聚合物的微观结构以及物理和粘弹性能将被表征为离子浓度和离子选择的函数。 还将进行探测实验，以评估离聚物在各种应用（水凝胶、相容剂、涂料和粘合剂）中的应用。 可再生的植物和木材基原材料是聚合物的有吸引力的替代起始材料，因为单体比石油基单体成本低，并且聚合物可以被设计为在使用后可生物降解，从而消除了与石油基塑料相关的许多环境和处置问题。 该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，以取代石油基聚合物，用于聚合物共混物中的水凝胶，涂料，粘合剂和增容剂等应用。 该研究涉及生物衍生聚合物的基本化学和物理学。 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，并为他们提供新兴的“绿色化学”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".