Bio-based polycarbonate from limonene oxide and CO₂ with high molecular weight, excellent thermal resistance, hardness and transparency

Title data

Hauenstein, Oliver ; Reiter, M. ; Agarwal, Seema ; Rieger, B. ; Greiner, Andreas:
Bio-based polycarbonate from limonene oxide and CO₂ with high molecular weight, excellent thermal resistance, hardness and transparency.
In: Green Chemistry. Vol. 18 (2016) Issue 3 . - pp. 760-770.
ISSN 1463-9262
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C5GC01694K

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

Completely bio-based, high molecular weight (>100 kDa) poly(limonene carbonate) (PLimC) with attractive thermal (glass transition temperature, Tg = 130°C) and optical properties (transmission 94%, haze 0.75%) was prepared by coupling bio-based limonene oxide (LO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) using a β-diiminate zinc catalyst (bdi)Zn(OAc). The molar mass of the polymer could be controlled by changing the ratio of catalyst and monomer, keeping molar mass dispersities low. The synthesis of the LO with very high content (>85%) of trans-isomer and absence of impurities with hydroxyl functionality was also established, which was necessary to obtain a high molar mass of polymer and almost quantitative conversion of epoxide during polymerisation. The upscaled syntheses of both the monomer and the polymer (>1 kg per batch) were readily realised, suggesting an easy transfer to pilot plant scale. The polymerisation kinetics were studied suggesting a second order dependence on LO concentration, wherefrom a mechanism is proposed with an alternating insertion of LO and CO₂. The effect of chain-ends on the thermal stability of PLimC was studied with a thermal desorption unit coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) experiments. PLimC with thermal stability as high as 240°C could be achieved using appropriate end-capping agents. PLimC is characterised by excellent transparency and hardness.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry > Chair Macromolecular Chemistry II Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry > Chair Macromolecular Chemistry II > Chair Macromolecular Chemistry II - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Greiner Faculties
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	500 Science > 540 Chemistry
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2018 10:38
Last Modified:	22 Nov 2022 12:28
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/45434