Synthesis and evaluation of thermally-responsive coatings based upon Diels–Alder chemistry and renewable materials

A soybean based coating with thermally responsive Diels–Alder linkages has been prepared following an automotive 2-component formulation.

Polymerization of nonfood biomass-derived monomers to sustainable polymers

The development of sustainable routes to fine chemicals, liquid fuels, and polymeric materials from natural resources has attracted significant attention from academia, industry, the general public, and governments owing to dwindling fossil resources, surging energy demand, global warming concerns, and other environmental problems. Cellulosic material, such as grasses, trees, corn stover, or wheat straw, is the most abundant nonfood renewable biomass resources on earth. Such annually renewable material can potentially meet our future needs with a low carbon footprint if it can be efficiently converted into fuels, value added chemicals, or polymeric materials. This chapter focuses on various renewable monomers derived directly from cellulose or cellulose platforms and corresponding sustainable polymers or copolymers produced therefrom. Recent advances related to the polymerization processes and the properties of novel biomass-derived polymers are also reviewed and discussed.

Bio-inspired high-performance and recyclable cross-linked polymers

Bio-inspired molecular design and synthesis of high-performance and recyclable cross-linked polymers is reported. Reversible cross-links between hard segments are incorporated into linear segmented polyurethane via Diels-Alder reaction between maleimide pendant group and furan cross-linker. The materials form hierarchical structure and exhibit excellent properties with high stiffness, strength and toughness, and can be easily thermally reshaped and re-mended.