Increasing demand and expanding markets for bio-based, biodegradable polymers and sustainable processes have led to a renaissance in polyester chemistry.  Our group has focused on quantitative methods with potential impact on process and quality control of polyesters.  We developed the use of flow control in microfluidic/microreactor devices to improve efficiency, reduce enzyme leaching and increase recyclability of a solid supported enzymatic catalyst � a bio-sourced, less energy intensive catalytic process.    After confirming side reactions from cyclization, condensation and depolymerization, we developed a kinetic model of the batch process, which enabled process modifications that increase the upper mass range, and may enable suppression of cyclization byproducts.  The model also captures the natural depolymerization/degradation process of the enzyme, including a bimodal intermediate distribution of species.  The model monomer has been e-caprolactone and its copolymers primarily because the literature base for validation is strong, however the tools and approaches we describe should be widely applicable.  Finally, new results in the application of insitu Raman spectroscopy to reactivity ratio measurements of solution ring opening ester copolymerization, as well as the use of surface enhanced Raman for determination of polyhydroxyalkanoate globule distributions and crystalline content via bacterial fermentation will be discussed.

Advances in measurement science for sustainable polymer chemistry: Modeling, microreactors and copolymerizations in polyester synthesis

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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