New bio-based polyester with excellent spinning performance: poly(tetrahydrofuran dimethanol-co-ethylene terephthalate)

With the excessive consumption of fossil energy, technologies that transform bio-based resources into materials have received more and more attention from researchers in recent decades. In this paper, a series of poly(ethylene 2,5-tetrahydrofuran dimethyl terephthalate; PEFTs) with different components were synthesized from 2,5-tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM), terephthalic acid (TPA), and ethylene glycol (EG). Their chemical structures and compositions were determined by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. With the increase in THFDM content, the crystallization, T _m, and tensile strength of PEFTs gradually decrease because the introduced THFDM breaks the order of molecular chains, while the thermal stability and T _g remain stable. PEFTs seem to present a significant shear thinning phenomenon, which was indicated by the rheological test. Electrospinning technology was used to explore the spinnability of PEFT; it was found that PEFTs have better spinning performance than PET. In addition, due to the good hydrophobicity and porosity of PEFT nanofiber films, they have potential application value in the manufacture of hydrophobic nanofiber and filter films.

The Properties of Poly(ester amide)s Based on Dimethyl 2,5-Furanedicarboxylate as a Function of Methylene Sequence Length in Polymer Backbone

A series of poly(ester amide)s based on dimethyl furan 2,5-dicarboxylate (DMFDC), 1,3-propanediol (PDO), 1,6-hexylene glycol (HDO), and 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP) were synthesized via two-step melt polycondensation. The phase transition temperatures and structure of the polymers were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) measurement was carried out to investigate the free volume. In addition, the mechanical properties of two series of poly(ester amide)s were analyzed. The increase in the number of methylene groups in the polymer backbone resulted in a decrease in the values of the transition temperatures. Depending on the number of methylene groups and the content of the poly(propylene furanamide) (PPAF), both semi-crystalline and amorphous copolymers were obtained. The free volume value increased with a greater number of methylene groups in the polymer backbone. Moreover, with a lower number of methylene groups, the value of the Young modulus and stress at break increased.

Recent Progress on Bio-Based Polyesters Derived from 2,5-Furandicarbonxylic Acid (FDCA)

The big challenge today is the upgrading of sustainable materials to replace miscellaneous ones from petroleum resources. Thus, a generic bio-based building block lays the foundation of the huge bio-market to green economy. 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a rigid diacid derived from lignocellulose or fructose, represents a great potential as a contender to terephthalic acid (TPA). Recently, studies on the synthesis, modification, and functionalization of bio-based polyesters based on FDCA have attracted widespread attention. To apply furanic polyesters on engineering plastics, packaging materials, electronics, etc., researchers have extended the properties of basic FDCA-based homo-polyesters by directional copolymerization and composite preparation. This review covers the synthesis and performance of polyesters and composites based on FDCA with emphasis bedded on the thermomechanical, crystallization, barrier properties, and biodegradability. Finally, a summary of what has been achieved and the issues waiting to be addressed of FDCA-based polyester materials are suggested.

Synthesis and characterisation of polyamides based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid as a sustainable building block for engineering plastics

Polyphthalamides (PPAs) are promising engineering thermoplastics employed in several demanding applications. At present, most of the commercially available PPAs are based on non-renewable petroleum derived resources. Herein, we investigated the...

Preparation and Property of Bio-Polyimide/Halloysite Nanocomposite Based on 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid

Bio-based polyimide (PI)/halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanocomposites based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid were prepared by in situ polymerization. The pristine HNTs were modified by tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 4,4′-oxybisbenzenamine (ODA). The bio-based PI/HNT nanocomposite film exhibited lower moisture absorption than pure bio-based polyimide, showing that the water resistance of the bio-based polyimide film was improved. The thermal stability and glass transition temperature (Tg) of PI/HNTs nanocomposites were improved with the addition of modified HNTs. Both the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of bio-based PI/HNTs nanocomposite films were enhanced. A 37.7% increase in tensile strength and a 75.1% increase in Young’s modulus of bio-based PI/HNTs nanocomposite films, with 1 wt% of the modified HNTs, were achieved. The result confirmed that 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid could replace the oil-based material effectively, thus reducing pollution and protecting the environment. Finally, a preparation mechanism to prepare bio-based PI/HNTs nanocomposite is proposed.

Preparation and properties of an aromatic polyamide fibre derived from a bio-based furan acid chloride

A high-molecular-weight aromatic polyamide resin incorporating furan-rings (f-resin) was prepared by low-temperature solution polycondensation of bio-based 2,5-furandiformyl chloride and 3,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether, in N,N-dimethylacetamide. Further, an aromatic polyamide fibre containing furan-rings (f-fibre) was obtained from the fresin by dry-jet wet spinning, and its structure and properties were investigated. The prepared f-resin showed good solubility and possessed good spinnability in solution. The mechanical, heat-resistance, and flame-retardant properties of the f-fibre were found to be excellent – comparable to or exceeding those of meta-aramid fibre (m-fibre). In addition, the furan acid chloride monomer is bio-based and is derived from abundant resources, unlike petroleum-based monomers. Therefore, f-fibre has good potential and broad application prospects as an environment-friendly and sustainable high-performance material.

Sulfone-functionalized poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) copolymer fibers with improved interfacial adhesion to epoxy matrices

The poor interfacial adhesion of aramid fiber and matrix limits the application of the final composites. In this study, a series of the sulfone-functionalized poly( p-phenylene terephthalamide) (SPPTA) copolymers were satisfactorily synthesized and the effects of polymerization conditions (contents of the additional monomer and the cosolvent LiCl, molar concentration and ratio of the monomer, reaction temperature and time) on the molecular weight of the copolymer were discussed. The introduction of the sulfone group in aromatic polyamides not only increased the polarity of poly( p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) but destroyed the regular arrangement of the molecular chains, which greatly improved the surface free energy and the solubility of the polymers in organic solvents. The polymer maintained excellent thermal and interfacial properties. Compared with the PPTA fiber/epoxy composites, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of SPPTA fiber-reinforced epoxy composites reached 43.5 MPa, with a significantly enhancement of 20.8%, implying that the study provided an effective method to achieve highly interfacial adhesion of aramid fiber-reinforced composites.

Biotechnological production and high potential of furan-based renewable monomers and polymers

Of the 25 million tons of plastic waste produced every year in Europe, 40% of these are not reused or recycled, thus contributing to environmental pollution, one of the major challenges of the 21st century. Most of these plastics are made of petrochemical-derived polymers which are very difficult to degrade and as a result, a lot of research efforts have been made on more environmentally friendly alternatives. Bio-based monomers, derived from renewable raw materials, constitute a possible solution for the replacement of oil-derived monomers, with furan derivatives that emerged as platform molecules having a great potential for the synthesis of biobased polyesters, polyamides and their copolymers. This review article summarizes the latest developments in biotechnological production of furan compounds that can be used in polymer chemistry as well as in their conversion into polymers. Moreover, the biodegradability of the resulting materials is discussed.

Unlocking the potential of furan-based poly(ester amide)s: an investigation of crystallization, molecular dynamics and degradation kinetics of novel poly(ester amide)s based on renewable poly(propylene furanoate)

In this work, novel polyester amides (PEAs) based on renewable poly(propylene furanoate) (PPF) were prepared via traditional melt polycondensation utilizing a preformed symmetric amido diol (AD) containing two internal amide bonds.

Semiaromatic polyamides with enhanced charge carrier mobility

The control of local order in polymer semiconductors using non-covalent interactions may be used to engineer materials with interesting combinations of mechanical and optoelectronic properties.

UV-Blocking Synthetic Biopolymer from Biomass-Based Bifuran Diester and Ethylene Glycol

A furan-based synthetic biopolymer composed of a bifuran monomer and ethylene glycol was synthesized through melt polycondensation, and the resulting polyester was found to have promising thermal and mechanical properties. The bifuran monomer, dimethyl 2,2′-bifuran-5,5′-dicarboxylate, was prepared using a palladium-catalyzed, phosphine ligand-free direct coupling protocol. A titanium-catalyzed polycondensation procedure was found effective at polymerizing the bifuran monomer with ethylene glycol. The prepared bifuran polyester exhibited several intriguing properties including high tensile modulus. In addition, the bifuran monomer furnished the polyester with a relatively high glass transition temperature. Films prepared from the new polyester also had excellent oxygen and water barrier properties, which were found to be superior to those of poly(ethylene terephthalate). Moreover, the novel polyester also has good ultraviolet radiation blocking properties.

Platinum deposited on cerium coordination polymer for catalytic oxidation of hydroxymethylfurfural producing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a value added chemical that can be used as a polymer building block for the synthesis of biobased polymers.