Production of polymeric materials derived from plants and other renewable resources has become a major research initiative in the last decade.  The major driving force behind this research focus is primarily due to the rising costs of petroleum manufacturing�oil extraction and refining�and transportation to the US and other countries.  Additionally, there have been increased environmental concerns due to recent oil spills and seepage into the waterways and potable water systems.  These issues present the need for developing high strength and high performance polymeric materials from sources other than petroleum chemicals.  Kevlar� and nylon are the two most common engineering polymeric materials having good structural and thermal integrity; however, they are produced from and processed in petroleum-based chemicals.  We have used melt polycondensation reactions to prepare partially bio-based kevlar analogs from the bio-based monomer furan, a product of carbohydrates, and phenylenediamine.  Thermal analysis measurements of the partially bio-based kevlar analogs thus far have shown an average thermal stability of 400 �C comparatively to manufactured petroleum-based Kevlar� (Td, 427-482 �C) and no Tg has been observed for these materials.  These materials also show limited solubility in polar solvents though they have high solubility in sulfuric acid.  Using interfacial polymerization we prepared partially bio-based and 100% bio-based nylon 4,4 analogs.  Preliminary thermal analysis shows bio-based nylon 4,4 analogs are thermal stable above 250 �C and have a Tg of 167 �C.  The optimal goal of this research is to produce polymeric fibers with a high range of mechanical and thermal properties.

Bio-based polymeric materials

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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