1
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Tutoni GG, McDonald SM, Zhong R, Lu A, Huang TJ, Becker ML. Microfluidic Assembly of Degradable, Stereocomplexed Hydrogel Microparticles. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:14705-14714. [PMID: 38749060 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogel microparticles (HMPs) have been investigated widely for their use in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. However, translation of these highly tunable systems has been hindered by covalent cross-linking methods within microparticles. Stereocomplexation, a stereospecific form of physical cross-linking, provides a robust yet degradable alternative for creating translationally relevant HMPs. Herein, 4-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) stars were used as macromolecular initiators from which oligomeric poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) was polymerized with a degree of polymerization (DPn) of 20 on each arm. Similarly, complementary propargyl-containing ABA cross-linkers with enantiomeric poly(d-lactic acid) (PDLA) segments (DPn = 20) on each arm. Droplets of these gel precursors were formed via a microfluidic organic-in-oil-in-water system where microparticles self-assembled via stereocomplexation and were stabilized after precipitation in deionized water. By varying the flow rate of the dispersed phase, well-defined microparticles with diameters of 33.7 ± 0.5, 62.4 ± 0.6, and 105.7 ± 0.8 μm were fabricated. Gelation due to stereocomplexation was confirmed via wide-angle X-ray scattering in which HMPs exhibited the signature diffraction pattern of stereocomplexed PLA at 2θ = 12.2, 21.2, 24.2°. Differential scanning calorimetry also confirmed stereocomplexation by the appearance of a crystallization exotherm (Tc = 37 °C) and a high-temperature endotherm (Tm = 159 °C) that does not appear in the homocrystallization of PLLA or the hydrogel precursors. Additionally, the propargyl handle present on the cross-linker allows for pre- or post-assembly thiol-yne "click" functionalization as demonstrated by the addition of thiol-containing fluorophores to the HMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianna G Tutoni
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Samantha M McDonald
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Ruoyu Zhong
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Annette Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Matthew L Becker
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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2
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Chen Y, Lan Q. Experimental evidence for immiscibility of enantiomeric polymers: Phase separation of high-molecular-weight poly(ʟ-lactide)/poly(ᴅ-lactide) blends and its impact on hindering stereocomplex crystallization. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129459. [PMID: 38232890 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Although polymers tend not to mix, it remains challenging to characterize the immiscibility of enantiomeric poly(ʟ-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(ᴅ-lactide) (PDLA), particularly with equivalent and high molecular weight (high MW), which frustratingly disfavors the exclusive stereocomplexation. By introducing a random copolymer (PLC) of ʟ-lactide and caprolactone to form binary blends with PLLA and PDLA, the phase behavior of high-MW PLLA/PDLA blends was investigated mainly by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). DSC results showed that PLLA/PLC blends exhibited a single glass transition temperature (Tg), which depended on the blending ratio and precisely corresponded with the theoretical values calculated from the Fox equation. In comparison, PDLA/PLC blends showed composition-dependent heat-capacity increment at two unchanged Tg values of pure PLC and PDLA. AFM observation revealed that PLC is completely miscible with PLLA at high MW but is immiscible with PDLA, logically suggesting immiscibility of high-MW PLLA and PDLA. Moreover, AFM results demonstrated that high-MW PLLA/PDLA blends exhibited spherical droplets in asymmetric blends and bicontinuous interpenetrating worm-like patterns in symmetric counterparts, showing distinct and well-defined interfaces, confirming the microphase separation. Additionally, different MWs fundamentally led to significant differences in miscibility, which consequently affected the crystallization behaviors of PLLA/PDLA blends. This work provides evidence for (im)miscibility and its crucial impact on the crystallization of PLLA/PDLA blends and has important implications for understanding the stereocomplexation of polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujing Chen
- Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qiaofeng Lan
- Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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3
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Zhao R, Cai S, Zhao Y, Ning X. Enhanced stereocomplex crystalline polylactic acids in melt processed enantiomeric bicomponent fiber configurations. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127123. [PMID: 37774817 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The formation of stereocomplex crystalline domains in the bicomponent fiber melt spinning of enantiomeric polylactic acids (PLAs) is systematically explored and enhanced. Here we report a polycrystalline morphology where distinctly different crystalline regions are formed and aligned along the longitudinal direction of the fiber. This approach employs side-by-side and sheath-core bicomponent melt spinning configurations where the two components are the enantiomeric pairs of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA). We demonstrate the formation of the PLA stereocomplexes at the junction interphase through the melt spinning process which subsequently crystallize into a round fibers with stereocomplex and homogeneous crystal lamella morphologies. The fiber morphologies and crystallinities of the melt processed fiber are substantially different from the solution based bicomponent spinning system reported in the prior literature. Furthermore, the different molecular weight in the PLLA/PDLA pairing are found to be crucial to the structural development and properties of the PLA polycrystalline materials. The solid-state annealing does not change the crystal distribution of the crystalline domains and stereocomplex crystalline state, it just enhances the homo-crystallinity in the peripheral of the bicomponent fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renhai Zhao
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, College of Textiles & Clothing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Center for Engineered Nonwovens, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Shunzhong Cai
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, College of Textiles & Clothing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Center for Engineered Nonwovens, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yintao Zhao
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, College of Textiles & Clothing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Center for Engineered Nonwovens, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xin Ning
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens & Technical Textiles, College of Textiles & Clothing, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Shandong Center for Engineered Nonwovens, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
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4
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Xie X, Huo Z, Jang E, Tong R. Recent advances in enantioselective ring-opening polymerization and copolymerization. Commun Chem 2023; 6:202. [PMID: 37775528 PMCID: PMC10541874 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-01007-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Precisely controlling macromolecular stereochemistry and sequences is a powerful strategy for manipulating polymer properties. Controlled synthetic routes to prepare degradable polyester, polycarbonate, and polyether are of recent interest due to the need for sustainable materials as alternatives to petrochemical-based polyolefins. Enantioselective ring-opening polymerization and ring-opening copolymerization of racemic monomers offer access to stereoregular polymers, specifically enantiopure polymers that form stereocomplexes with improved physicochemical and mechanical properties. Here, we highlight the state-of-the-art of this polymerization chemistry that can produce microstructure-defined polymers. In particular, the structures and performances of various homogeneous enantioselective catalysts are presented. Trends and future challenges of such chemistry are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 635 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA
| | - Ziyu Huo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 635 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA
| | - Eungyo Jang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 635 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA
| | - Rong Tong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 635 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA.
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5
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Lan X, Xu S, Sun C, Zheng Y, Wang B, Shan G, Bao Y, Yu C, Pan P. Multi-Level Information Encryption/Decryption of Fluorescent Hydrogels Based on Spatially Programmed Crystal Phases. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2205960. [PMID: 36538742 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The growing urgence of information protection promotes continuously the development of information-encryption technique. To date, hydrogels have become an emerging candidate for advanced information-encryption materials, because of their unique stimulus responsiveness. However, current methods to design multi-level information-encrypted hydrogels usually need sophisticated chemistry or experimental setup. Herein, a novel strategy is reported to fabricate hydrogels with multi-level information encryption/decryption functions through spatially programming the polymorphic crystal phases. As homocrystalline and stereocomplex crystal phases in fluorescent hydrogels have different solvent stabilities, the transparency and fluorescence of the hydrogels can be regulated, thereby enabling the multi-level encryption/decryption processes. Moreover, the structural origins behind these processes are discussed. It is believe that this work will inspire future research on developing advanced information-encryption materials upon programming the polymer crystal structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Shanshan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Chenxuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou, 324000, China
| | - Bao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou, 324000, China
| | - Guorong Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou, 324000, China
| | - Yongzhong Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou, 324000, China
| | - Chengtao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou, 324000, China
| | - Pengju Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou, 324000, China
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6
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Liu Y, Lu XB. Current Challenges and Perspectives in CO 2-Based Polymers. Macromolecules 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
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7
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Zaky MS, Wirotius AL, Coulembier O, Guichard G, Taton D. Reaching High Stereoselectivity and Activity in Organocatalyzed Ring-Opening Polymerization of Racemic Lactide by the Combined Use of a Chiral (Thio)Urea and a N-Heterocyclic Carbene. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:1148-1155. [PMID: 36067070 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Stereochemical control during polymerization is a key strategy of polymer chemistry to achieve semicrystalline engineered plastics. The stereoselective ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of racemic lactide (rac-LA), which can lead to highly isotactic polylactide (PLA), is one of the emblematic examples in this area. Surprisingly, stereoselective ROP of rac-LA employing chiral organocatalysts has been under-leveraged. Here we show that a commercially available chiral thiourea (TU1), or its urea homologue (U1), can be used in conjunction with an appropriately selected N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) to trigger the stereoselective ROP of rac-LA at room temperature in toluene. Both a high organic catalysis activity (>90% monomer conversion in 5-9 h) and a high stereoselectivity (probability of formation of meso dyads, Pm, in the range 0.82-0.93) can be achieved by thus pairing a NHC and a chiral amino(thio)urea. The less sterically hindered and the more basic NHC, that is, a NHC bearing tert-butyl substituents (NHCtBu), provides the highest stereoselectivity when employed in conjunction with the chiral TU1 or U1. This asymmetric organic catalysis strategy, as applied here in polymerization chemistry, further expands the field of possibilities to achieve bioplastics with adapted thermomechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Samir Zaky
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO), UMR 5629, Université de Bordeaux, INP-ENSCBP, 16 av, Pey Berland, 33607 PESSAC Cedex France
| | - Anne-Laure Wirotius
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO), UMR 5629, Université de Bordeaux, INP-ENSCBP, 16 av, Pey Berland, 33607 PESSAC Cedex France
| | - Olivier Coulembier
- Center of Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP), Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials, University of Mons, Mons B-7000, Belgium
| | - Gilles Guichard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, CBMN, UMR 5248, Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, F-33607 Pessac, France
| | - Daniel Taton
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO), UMR 5629, Université de Bordeaux, INP-ENSCBP, 16 av, Pey Berland, 33607 PESSAC Cedex France
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8
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Popowski Y, Lu Y, Coates GW, Tolman WB. Stereocomplexation of Stereoregular Aliphatic Polyesters: Change from Amorphous to Semicrystalline Polymers with Single Stereocenter Inversion. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:8362-8370. [PMID: 35476538 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c02981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stereocomplexation is a useful strategy for the enhancement of polymer properties by the co-crystallization of polymer strands with opposed chirality. Yet, with the exception of PLA, stereocomplexes of biodegradable polyesters are relatively underexplored and the relationship between polymer microstructure and stereocomplexation remains to be delineated, especially for copolymers comprising two different chiral monomers. In this work, we resolved the two enantiomers of a non-symmetric chiral anhydride (CPCA) and prepared a series of polyesters from different combinations of racemic and enantiopure epoxides and anhydrides, via metal-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP). Intriguingly, we found that only specific chiral combinations between the epoxide and anhydride building blocks result in the formation of semicrystalline polymers, with a single stereocenter inversion inducing a change from amorphous to semicrystalline copolymers. Stereocomplexes of the latter were prepared by mixing an equimolar amount of the two enantiomeric copolymers, yielding materials with increased melting temperatures (ca. 20 °C higher) compared to their enantiopure constituents. Following polymer structure optimization, the stereocomplex of one specific copolymer combination exhibits a particularly high melting temperature (Tm = 238 °C).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanay Popowski
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Hall, Campus Box 1134, St. Louis, Missouri 63130-4899, United States
| | - Yiye Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
| | - Geoffrey W Coates
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
| | - William B Tolman
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Hall, Campus Box 1134, St. Louis, Missouri 63130-4899, United States
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9
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Wei Y, Tian Y, Tian X, Fu Z, Zhao L. Induction of Stereocomplex Crystallization in Poly(
l
‐lactide)/Poly(
d
‐lactide) Blends with High Molecular Weight by Halloysite Nanotubes. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Wei
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shandong University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266590 China
| | - Yang Tian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shandong University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266590 China
| | - Xiujuan Tian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shandong University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266590 China
| | - Zhenjiang Fu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shandong University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266590 China
| | - Lifen Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Shandong University of Science and Technology Qingdao 266590 China
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10
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Nanda S, Patra BR, Patel R, Bakos J, Dalai AK. Innovations in applications and prospects of bioplastics and biopolymers: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS 2022; 20:379-395. [PMID: 34867134 PMCID: PMC8629338 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-021-01334-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Non-biodegradable plastics are continually amassing landfills and oceans worldwide while creating severe environmental issues and hazards to animal and human health. Plastic pollution has resulted in the death of millions of seabirds and aquatic animals. The worldwide production of plastics in 2020 has increased by 36% since 2010. This has generated significant interest in bioplastics to supplement global plastic demands. Bioplastics have several advantages over conventional plastics in terms of biodegradability, low carbon footprint, energy efficiency, versatility, unique mechanical and thermal characteristics, and societal acceptance. Bioplastics have huge potential to replace petroleum-based plastics in a wide range of industries from automobiles to biomedical applications. Here we review bioplastic polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactic acid, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, polyamide 11, and polyhydroxyurethanes; and cellulose-based, starch-based, protein-based and lipid-based biopolymers. We discuss economic benefits, market scenarios, chemistry and applications of bioplastic polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonil Nanda
- Titan Clean Energy Projects Corporation, Craik, SK Canada
| | - Biswa R. Patra
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Ravi Patel
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Jamie Bakos
- Titan Clean Energy Projects Corporation, Craik, SK Canada
| | - Ajay K. Dalai
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK Canada
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11
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Sun C, Zheng Y, Xu S, Ni L, Li X, Shan G, Bao Y, Pan P. Role of Chain Entanglements in the Stereocomplex Crystallization between Poly(lactic acid) Enantiomers. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:1023-1028. [PMID: 35549120 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Stereocomplex (SC) crystallization between polymer enantiomers has opened a promising avenue for preparing high-performance materials. However, high-crystallinity SCs are difficult to achieve for high-molecular-weight (HMW) enantiomeric blends of chiral polymers [e.g., poly(lactic acid)]. Despite extensive studies, why HMW enantiomeric blends have difficulty in SC crystallization has not been clarified. Herein, we chose the HMW poly(l-lactic acid)/poly(d-lactic acid) (PLLA/PDLA) 1/1 blend as the model system and demonstrated the crucial role of chain entanglement in regulating SC crystallization. PLLA/PDLA blends with various entanglement degrees were prepared by freeze-drying. We observed that disentangling promoted not only the crystallization rate but also the crystallinity of SCs in both the nonisothermal and isothermal processes. The less-entangled samples crystallized exclusively as the high-crystallinity SCs at different temperatures, in contrast to the predominant homocrystallization that occurred in the common entangled samples. This study provides deep insight into the SC crystallization mechanism of polymers and paves the way for future research attempting to prepare SC materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou 324000, China
| | - Shanshan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Lingling Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Guorong Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou 324000, China
| | - Yongzhong Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou 324000, China
| | - Pengju Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Institute of Zhejiang University-Quzhou, 78 Jiuhua Boulevard North, Quzhou 324000, China
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12
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Li J, Wang M, Liu Y, Ren W, Lu X. Photoinduced Reversible Semicrystalline‐to‐Amorphous State Transitions of Stereoregular Azopolyesters. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202104750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology 2 Linggong Road Dalian 116024 China
| | - Meng‐Wie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology 2 Linggong Road Dalian 116024 China
| | - Ye Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology 2 Linggong Road Dalian 116024 China
| | - Wei‐Min Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology 2 Linggong Road Dalian 116024 China
| | - Xiao‐Bing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals Dalian University of Technology 2 Linggong Road Dalian 116024 China
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13
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Li J, Wang MW, Liu Y, Ren WM, Lu XB. Photoinduced Reversible Semicrystalline-to-Amorphous State Transitions of Stereoregular Azopolyesters. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:17898-17903. [PMID: 34129266 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202104750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We report the synthesis of isotactic azobenzene-based polyesters (azopolyesters) with main-chain chirality via highly enantioselective resolution copolymerization of racemic azobenzene-containing epoxides with cyclic anhydrides. All polyesters with trans-azobenzene moieties were found to be semicrystalline materials with melting temperatures of 153-231 °C, while the corresponding isotactic cis-azopolyesters were amorphous. The azobenzene groups in the copolymers exhibited reversible trans-to-cis and cis-to-trans photoisomerization upon irradiation with light. This demonstrates that the crystallinity of isotactic azopolyesters can be manipulated via photoinduced reversible isomerization. In addition, mixing isotactic trans-polyesters with different enantiomeric configurations in a 1:1 mass ratio afforded crystalline stereocomplexes for which the crystalline behavior differed significantly from those of the component enantiomer. Also, photoinduced reversible transitions between semicrystalline and amorphous states were observed in various stereocomplexes of isotactic trans-azopolyesters, similar to the isotactic azopolyesters themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Meng-Wie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Ye Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Wei-Min Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
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Deacy A, Gregory GL, Sulley GS, Chen TTD, Williams CK. Sequence Control from Mixtures: Switchable Polymerization Catalysis and Future Materials Applications. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:10021-10040. [PMID: 34190553 PMCID: PMC8297863 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c03250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
There is an ever-increasing demand for higher-performing polymeric materials counterbalanced by the need for sustainability throughout the life cycle. Copolymers comprising ester, carbonate, or ether linkages could fulfill some of this demand as their monomer-polymer chemistry is closer to equilibrium, facilitating (bio)degradation and recycling; many monomers are or could be sourced from renewables or waste. Here, an efficient and broadly applicable route to make such copolymers is discussed, a form of switchable polymerization catalysis which exploits a single catalyst, switched between different catalytic cycles, to prepare block sequence selective copolymers from monomer mixtures. This perspective presents the principles of this catalysis, catalyst design criteria, the selectivity and structural copolymer characterization tools, and the properties of the resulting copolymers. Uses as thermoplastic elastomers, toughened plastics, adhesives, and self-assembled nanostructures, and for programmed degradation, among others, are discussed. The state-of-the-art research into both catalysis and products, as well as future challenges and directions, are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gregory S. Sulley
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Thomas T. D. Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Charlotte K. Williams
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.
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