Elemental sulfur is a waste product of fossil fuel production that has accumulated annually in megaton quantities. The discovery of inverse vulcanization, pioneered by Pyun in 2013, unlocked a new class of material. Plant-derived terpenoids are widely used for pharmacological and biological activities. Terpenoids and terpenoid derivatives are also possible surrogates to take the place of petrochemical olefins. In the current research, it was discovered that the formation of crosslinks between the elemental sulfur and the olefinic units of terpenoid with heat treatment leads to remeltable materials with structural characteristics competitive with those of commercial goods. Portland cement production accounts for CO2 emission at a level similar to that of all global road transportation. Carbon-negative cement products are therefore essential to humanity’s quest to supplant traditional technologies with more sustainably-sourced alternatives. In this contribution, carbon-negative polymer cements were prepared in a 100% atom-economical reaction between plant-derived terpenoid alcohols (citronellol, geraniol, or farnesol) and elemental sulfur. The influence of component ratio on thermal and mechanical properties of composites were determined by di-unsaturated geraniol and tri-unsaturated farnesol , GerSx, FarSx (x = wt % sulfur) respectively. The sulfur incorporated into composite was characterized by using DSC measurements. The 1H NMR spectrometric measurements revealed unexpected cyclization of terpenoids in the composite. The high mechanical strengths of the terpenoid-sulfur composite are the accountable factors for the use of building materials. Compressive strength measurements were undertaken to assess the viability of terpenoid-sulfur composites as structural elements. Chemical resistance of the material is another significant attribute that was assessed for these composites. The noticeable improved compressive strengths were discovered for both high olefins contain composites (80 -85% of terpenoids).

Carbon-negative polymer cements from terpenoids and waste sulfur as recyclable, acid-resistant building materials

ACS Spring 2022

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