abstract
The synthesis of novel polyesters from model long-chain aliphatic monomers and from suberin reactive aliphatic fragments was conducted using mild polycondensation or polytransesterification conditions. The ensuing polyesters were characterized by means of various techniques. When mixtures of simple suberin-like monomers were used, the ensuing polyesters had very regular structures, with melting temperatures around 80 degrees C and glass transitions below room temperature. This first systematic study of the exploitation of suberin as a precursor to novel aliphatic polyesters confirmed the huge potential of using this abundant renewable resource to prepare macromolecular materials for promising applications.
keywords
LIPASE-CATALYZED SYNTHESIS; TEMPERATURE POLYCONDENSATION; ALIPHATIC POLYESTERS; DICARBOXYLIC-ACIDS; CARBOXYLIC-ACIDS; CORK; METHANOLYSIS; DIOLS
subject category
Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics
authors
Sousa, AF; Gandini, A; Silvestre, AJD; Neto, CP
our authors
Alessandro Gandini
Researcher
Andreia Fernandes de Sousa
Principal Researcher
Armando Jorge Domingues Silvestre
Full professor
Carlos Pascoal Neto
Raiz DirectorProjects
WACHEUP - New Concepts For Upgrading Pulp Mill Waste Streams to Values - Added Chemicals (WACHEUP)
acknowledgements
The FCT is gratefully acknowledged for a doctorate grant to AFS. (SFRH/BI/33049/2007). This work was carried out under the European Community Sixth framework programme (priority 3, NMP) project WaCheUp (contract number STRP 013896). We thank the Amorim group for supplying the cork samples.