Sustainable Elastomers from Renewable Biomass

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00209
• Publication Date: 2017-06-21T20:20:03Z
• Authors: Zhongkai Wang; Liang Yuan; Chuanbing Tang
• Keywords: Thermoplastic elastomer; Thermosetting polymer

ConspectusSustainable elastomers have undergone explosive growth in recent years, partly due to the resurgence of biobased materials prepared from renewable natural resources. However, mounting challenges still prevail: How can chemical compositions and macromolecular architectures sustainable polymers be controlled broadened? their processability recyclability enabled? they compete with petroleum-based counterparts both cost performance? Molecular-biomass-derived polymers, such as polymyrcene, polymenthide, poly(ε-decalactone), been employed for constructing thermoplastic (TPEs). Plant oils are widely used fabricating thermoset elastomers. We use abundant biomass, plant oils, cellulose, rosin acids, lignin, develop covering a wide range structure–property relationships hope delivering better performance.In this Account, progress preparing monomers TPEs biomass is first reviewed. ABA triblock copolymer were obtained soft middle block containing soybean-oil-based monomer hard outer blocks styrene. In addition, combination acids soybean oil was formulated prepare TPEs.Together above-mentioned approaches based on copolymers, multigraft copolymers backbone rigid side chains recognized first-generation second-generation TPEs, respectively. It has recently demonstrated that elastic also novel architecture TPEs. Natural cellulose utilized stiff, backbone. Cellulose/lignin graft methyl methacrylate butyl acrylate exhibited excellent properties. Cellulose biomass-derived further explored enhance overall sustainability.Isoprene grafted cellulosic afford Cell-g-polyisoprene copolymers. Via cross-linking these human-skin-mimic high resilient well-defined network structure achieved. The mechanical properties could finely by tuning content. As isoprene produced engineering microorganisms, alternative petroleum products.In summary, components, skin-mimic elastomers, discussed. These design provide us knowledge potential make various applications counterparts.