Xylan homo-esters and glucomannan homo- and mixed-esters having different alkyl chain lengths (C2-C12) were synthesized in dimethyl acetamide/ lithium chloride homogeneous or trifluoro acetic anhydride heterogeneous systems with the goal of using hemicellulose as plastic material. The structures, thermal and mechanical properties of the esters were characterized by NMR, GPC, and DSC measurements. All the esters had degree of substitution of 3.0 and showed good solubility in organic solvents. Xylan esters formed transparent cast-films and their mechanical properties were dependent on the alkyl chain length. Xylan esters could be spun into electrospun nanofibers. Among the xylan esters, xylan propionate (C3) and xylan butyrate (C4) exhibited a nucleating effect on both poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA) and poly(D-lactic acid)(PDLA) during non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization conditions. These xylan esters decreased the crystalization temperature of PLA by almost 30 °C. Enhanced rate of crystallization, higher crystallinity and generation of smaller spherulites were observed in the PLA blends containing the xylan esters compared to PLA.Glucomannan esters were amorphous polymer and had high grass transition temperature up to ca. 180°C. Glucomannan esters could be thermo-pressed and formed transparent films with high mechanical strength. The grass transition temperature and mechanical properties of the esters could be controlled by alkyl chain-length, composition of alkyl chain (C2 and C4) and degree of substitution.

Syntheses of hemicellulose derivatives and their application as plastic material

251st National Meeting (2016)

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