Synthesis, characterization, and biodegradation studies of new cellulose-based polymers

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Cellulose and cellulose acetate (CA) are abundant biopolymers with potential for modification.
• Improving hydrophobicity and biodegradability of cellulose derivatives is crucial for sustainable applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel cellulose carbamate and cellulose acetate carbamate derivatives.
• To enhance the hydrophobicity and biodegradability of cellulose-based materials.
• To explore their potential in green chemistry and sustainable industries.

Main Methods:

• Classical addition reaction of isocyanates with alcohols to form carbamates.
• Telomerization technique for grafting molecules onto cellulose and CA chains.
• Characterization using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared, and Thermogravimetric Analysis.
• Solubility and biodegradability assessments.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized cellulose carbamate and cellulose acetate carbamate derivatives.
• Telomerization ensured strong anchoring and increased hydrophobicity of grafted molecules.
• Carbamate derivatives demonstrated improved solubility compared to unmodified cellulose.
• Cell-P1 and CA-P1 derivatives exhibited superior biodegradability.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized carbamate derivatives offer enhanced properties like solubility and biodegradability.
• These novel materials hold significant potential for eco-friendly applications, including food packaging.
• The study contributes to the development of sustainable materials and green chemistry principles.