A major challenge facing modern polymer scientists is how to make affordable high-performance polymers that are environmentally benign. Poly(lactide), is both biorenewable and biodegradable, and has achieved great commercial success. However, its thermal and mechanical properties limit its potential uses. Previous work has shown poly(ε-caprolactone-co-ε-decalactone) to have tunable thermal properties, but the high cost of the ε-decalactone monomer inhibits its commercial viability. My work investigates poly(γ-methyl-δ-valerolactone)<br/>homopolymers and poly(γ-methyl-δ-valerolactone-co-ε-caprolactone) (P(γMVL-co-CL)) statistical copolymers as potential new sustainable materials. These polymers can be produced in high yield, with no byproducts and minimal waste, using bulk, room temperature polymerizations. Depending upon its composition and the sample preparation, P(γMVL-co-CL) can be either amorphous or semicrystalline with a range of possible melting temperatures. Interestingly, the thermal properties of the P(γMVL) homopolymers depend upon tacticity. Atactic P(γMVL) is amorphous whereas isotactic P(γMVL) is semicrystalline with improved thermal stability relative to caprolactone. The ability to tailor the thermal profiles of these sustainable polymers makes them extremely attractive for a wide variety of potential commercial applications.

Sustainable copolymers with tailored thermal properties

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.