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Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 28, 2015
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One-Pot Synthesis of Depolymerizable δ-Lactone Based Vitrimers.
Liang Yue1, Yong-Liang Su2, Mingzhe Li1
1George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|April 15, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel, biobased vitrimer synthesized from cyclic lactones. This material offers excellent reprocessability and monomer recovery, enabling a sustainable closed-loop lifecycle for elastomers.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Vitrimers offer dynamic crosslinking for enhanced material properties.
- Conventional elastomers often lack reprocessability and recyclability.
- Biobased monomers present opportunities for sustainable polymer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a depolymerizable vitrimer from biobased cyclic lactones.
- To achieve monomer recovery and enable closed-loop recycling of elastomers.
- To evaluate the properties and potential applications of the novel vitrimer.
Main Methods:
- One-pot, two-step synthesis of vitrimers from substituted δ-valerolactones.
- Ring-opening polymerization of δ-lactones to form amorphous polyesters.
- Crosslinking with vinyl ether containing dynamic acetal linkages to form the vitrimer elastomer.
Main Results:
- Achieved 85-90 wt% monomer recovery via thermolysis at 200 °C.
- Demonstrated reprocessability and self-healing capabilities of the δ-lactone vitrimer.
- The new vitrimer exhibits excellent properties suitable for various applications.
Conclusions:
- A novel, biobased, and depolymerizable vitrimer was successfully synthesized.
- The material allows for efficient monomer recovery and reprocessing, promoting a circular economy.
- This vitrimer is a promising sustainable alternative to conventional soft elastomers.
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