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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

34.1K
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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Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

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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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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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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...
2.6K
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

7.6K
The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
7.6K
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:17

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.2K
Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta...
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Toward Sustainable Materials: From Lignocellulosic Biomass to High-Performance Polymers.

Jignesh S Mahajan1,2, Eric R Gottlieb3, Jung Min Kim3

  • 1Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States.

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Lignin, a waste product, can be transformed into high-performance polymers and adhesives. This research developed innovative methods for lignin deconstruction and polymerization, creating sustainable materials comparable to petroleum-based plastics.

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Towards Biomimicking Wood: Fabricated Free-standing Films of Nanocellulose, Lignin, and a Synthetic Polycation
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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Sustainable Materials Science
  • Biomass Valorization

Background:

  • Lignocellulosic biomass offers a sustainable source for aromatic compounds, but lignin is often underutilized.
  • Petrochemical-based polymers face challenges related to cost and environmental impact.
  • Lignin's recalcitrant nature and aromatic methoxy substituents present unique challenges and opportunities for material synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop innovative methods for synthesizing polymers from lignin deconstruction products.
  • To establish structure-property-processing relationships for lignin-derived polymers.
  • To explore the potential of lignin-based materials as sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals.

Main Methods:

  • Polymerization of lignin-derivable methacrylate monomers and prediction of thermomechanical properties.
  • Development of performance-advantaged pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) from phenolic-rich bio-oil.
  • Intensified reductive catalytic deconstruction (RCD) of lignin at ambient conditions for 3D printing applications.
  • Synthesis of lignin-derivable bisguaiacols/bissyringols as alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA) in epoxy resins.

Main Results:

  • Lignin-derivable polymethacrylates exhibited glass transition temperatures (Tg) comparable to or exceeding polystyrene.
  • Lignin-based phenolics were used to create high-performing, colorless, and odorless PSAs without complex purification.
  • An intensified RCD process reduced lignin deconstruction costs by up to 60% and enabled 3D printing.
  • Lignin-derived thermosets showed comparable thermal and mechanical properties to BPA/BPF analogues, with reduced toxicity concerns due to methoxy groups.

Conclusions:

  • Innovative polymerization and deconstruction methods unlock the potential of lignin for high-performance materials.
  • Lignin-derived polymers offer sustainable and potentially safer alternatives to conventional petrochemical-based products.
  • Further research in recycling, upcycling, and commercialization is crucial for advancing lignin-derived materials.