(722am) Development and Characterization of Copolymers from Renewable Resource Monomers

Renewable polymers have been developed from a selection of poly-alcohol and poly-acid monomers available from renewable resources. A simple polycondensation reaction was selected to produce anhydride and ester copolymers. The renewable resource monomers glycerol, 1,3-propane diol, malonic acid, fumaric acid, and itaconic acid were selected based on biomass availability and functional groups. Reaction conditions and catalysts were selected to maximize yield and molecular weight and minimize impacts on the environment though a reduction of energy and solvent required during polymerization and processing. Effects of catalyst ratio, monomer ratio, and temperature on copolymer yield and bulk properties were studied. Polymer synthesis was verified and the chemical composition was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to determine average molecular weights, molecular weight distributions, and phase transitions in these new copolymers. A series of anhydride and ester copolymers have been developed and chemically and thermally characterized as possible renewable replacements for petroleum based polymers.