Due to the serious environmental challenges associated with petroleum derived polymers, there is a drive to develop alternative polymers which are sourced from renewable resources, are easily recycled and can be biodegraded. Polycarbonates, prepared by the alternating copolymerization of CO2/epoxides, are of interest to prepare sustainable polymer foams, elastomers, coatings and sealants. Here, new block polymers are prepared using the alternating copolymerization of CO2 and limonene oxide (LO), this latter epoxide is sourced from waste citrus peel. This lecture will outline the preparation and properties of fully-renewable ABA-type block polymers comprising poly(limonene carbonate) (PLC as block A) and poly(decalactone) (PDL as block B). The A/B block ratio is varied as a means to control the mechanical and thermal properties of the polymers. Compared to pure PLC, the presence of PDL, significantly increases the polymer toughness and delivers a promising new type of rigid plastic. The preparation, properties and performances of a range of block polymer compositions will be described. There are also options to recycle the block polymers, by thermal re-processing routes and by chemical recycling to deliver the starting epoxide (LO) in high yield.

Bio-based recyclable block copolymers from limonene oxide and CO2

2019 Fall National Meeting

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