Biodegradable polycarbonates from lignocellulose based 4-pentenoic acid and carbon dioxide

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Sustainable Materials
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Growing concerns over CO2 emissions and plastic pollution drive the need for CO2 utilization and biodegradable polymers.
• Existing CO2-based polycarbonates often rely on petrochemical feedstocks, highlighting the demand for 100% bio-based alternatives.
• Lignocellulose presents a sustainable source for bio-based monomers in polymer synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel, 100% bio-based polycarbonates utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2).
• To develop tunable bio-based polycarbonates with functionalizable side chains from lignocellulose-derived monomers.
• To explore the copolymerization of CO2 with bio-based epoxides and their terpolymerization with propylene oxide (PO).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of glycidyl 4-pentenoate (GPA) from lignocellulose-derived 4-pentenoic acid (4-PA).
• Copolymerization of GPA with CO2 using a SalenCoCl/PPNCl binary catalyst to yield bio-based polycarbonates.
• Terpolymerization of GPA, CO2, and propylene oxide (PO) to create tunable glass transition temperatures (Tg).

Main Results:

• Successfully produced bio-based polycarbonates with vinyl side chains and molecular weights up to 17.1 kg/mol.
• Achieved tunable glass transition temperatures (Tg) for GPA/PO/CO2 terpolymers ranging from 2°C to 19°C.
• Demonstrated the potential for post-modification of vinyl side chains to create functional polycarbonates.

Conclusions:

• A novel pathway for producing 100% bio-based polycarbonates from CO2 and lignocellulose-derived epoxides has been established.
• The developed terpolymerization method allows for precise control over the material's thermal properties.
• This approach offers a versatile platform for creating functional bio-based materials with diverse applications.