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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
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The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...
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The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...
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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Advances in Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production, Volume 4.

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Biodegradability of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters in nature: a review.

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Carbon Recycling of High Value Bioplastics: A Route to a Zero-Waste Future.

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Microbial PolyHydroxyAlkanoate (PHA) Biopolymers-Intrinsically Natural.

Anindya Mukherjee1,2, Martin Koller3

  • 1The Global Organization for PHA (GO!PHA), 12324 Hampton Way, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA.

Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 29, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) offer a sustainable solution to global plastic pollution. These natural, biodegradable polymers can replace fossil plastics, promoting a circular economy and reducing environmental harm.

Keywords:
biopolymersgreen chemistry principlesnatural polymerspolyhydroxyalkanoates

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Materials Science
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Global plastic pollution from fossil-based plastics is a critical environmental issue.
  • Current regulations focus on bans and recycling, neglecting viable alternatives.
  • Fossil plastics contribute to microplastic formation and environmental contamination at end-of-life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as a sustainable alternative to fossil plastics.
  • To demonstrate how PHAs can address the persistent plastic pollution dilemma.
  • To highlight PHAs' alignment with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry for sustainable manufacturing.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and their properties.
  • Analysis of PHA's life cycle from production to end-of-life.
  • Evaluation of PHA's biodegradability and compostability.

Main Results:

  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are bio-based, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymers.
  • PHAs are suitable for domestic and industrial composting, offering a circular economy solution.
  • PHA biopolyesters align with green chemistry principles, supporting sustainable manufacturing.

Conclusions:

  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) represent a paradigm shift, offering a natural and green alternative to fossil plastics.
  • Adoption of PHAs can mitigate plastic pollution and its associated environmental threats.
  • PHAs provide the benefits of conventional plastics while meeting circular economy requirements.