Synthesis and Characterization of Biobased Polyesters Containing Anthraquinones Derived from Gallic Acid

Facile Strategy for Preparing a Rosin-Based Low-k Material: Molecular Design of Free Volume

Low-k dielectrics are urgently needed in modern integrated circuits. The introduction of free volume instead of porous structures has become a powerful strategy to reduce the k value. According to this strategy, the biomass resource rosin-containing hydrogenated phenanthrene ring was introduced into benzocyclobutene (BCB) resin to reduce the k value; then a rosin-based BCB monomer was successfully synthesized. Meanwhile, the BCB monomer without a rosin skeleton was prepared. After converting the monomers into thermo-crosslinked materials, notably that the rosin skeleton has a great influence on the free volume and k value of the material. The fractional free volume and k value of the former are 26% and 2.44, respectively, and those of the latter are 14% and 2.84, respectively. In addition, the distances between molecular chains and the density of the former are 0.60 nm and 1.06 g cm^-3, respectively; those of the latter are 0.56 nm and 1.28 g cm^-3, respectively. These data show that introducing hydrogenated phenanthrene rings occupies part of the space and hinders the packing of molecular chains, which increases the distance between molecular chains and reduces the density of the polymer, resulting in an increasing free volume and a reducing k value. Notably that introducing hydrogenated phenanthrene rings cannot affect other properties of the material. Therefore, this research indicates that introducing rosin skeletons can prepare high-performance materials, which provide some promising low-k materials for the development of electronics and microelectronics.

Well-organised two-dimensional self-assembly controlled by in situ formation of a Cu(II)-coordinated rufigallol derivative: a scanning tunnelling microscopy study

The two-dimensional self-assembly of rufigallol derivatives and their metal coordination were studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy. Ex situ Cu(II)-coordinated rufigallol derivatives exhibited columnar structures with some defects, whereas regular and linear structures were formed upon in situ metal coordination at solid/liquid interfaces.

Tannin polymerization: an overview

This review critically addresses the most relevant and innovative techniques for obtaining polymers from tannins.

Designing Biobased Recyclable Polymers for Plastics

Several concurrent developments are shaping the future of plastics. A transition to a sustainable plastics system requires not only a shift to fossil-free feedstock and energy to produce the carbon-neutral building blocks for polymers used in plastics, but also a rational design of the polymers with both desired material properties for functionality and features facilitating their recyclability. Biotechnology has an important role in producing polymer building blocks from renewable feedstocks, and also shows potential for recycling of polymers. Here, we present strategies for improving the performance and recyclability of the polymers, for enhancing degradability to monomers, and for improving chemical recyclability by designing polymers with different chemical functionalities.