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Matsumoto K. Toward the production of block copolymers in microbial cells: achievements and perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:164. [PMID: 38252290 PMCID: PMC10803391 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12973-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) block copolymers has attracted research interests because they can be expected to exhibit excellent physical properties. Although post-polymerization conjugation and/or extension have been used for PHA block copolymer synthesis, the discovery of the first sequence-regulating PHA synthase, PhaCAR, enabled the direct synthesis of PHA-PHA type block copolymers in microbial cells. PhaCAR spontaneously synthesizes block copolymers from a mixture of substrates. To date, Escherichia coli and Ralstonia eutropha have been used as host strains, and therefore, sequence regulation is not a host-specific phenomenon. The monomer sequence greatly influences the physical properties of the polymer. For example, a random copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 2-hydroxybutyrate deforms plastically, while a block copolymer of approximately the same composition exhibits elastic deformation. The structure of the PHA block copolymer can be expanded by in vitro evolution of the sequence-regulating PHA synthase. An engineered variant of PhaCAR can synthesize poly(D-lactate) as a block copolymer component, which allows for greater flexibility in the molecular design of block copolymers. Therefore, creating sequence-regulating PHA synthases with a further broadened substrate range will expand the variety of properties of PHA materials. This review summarizes and discusses the sequence-regulating PHA synthase, analytical methods for verifying block sequence, properties of block copolymers, and mechanisms of sequence regulation. KEY POINTS: • Spontaneous monomer sequence regulation generates block copolymers • Poly(D-lactate) segment can be synthesized using a block copolymerization system • Block copolymers exhibit characteristic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken'ichiro Matsumoto
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kitaku, Sapporo, N13W8060-8628, Japan.
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Klonos PA, Bikiaris ND, Zamboulis A, Valera MÁ, Mangas A, Kyritsis A, Terzopoulou Z. Segmental mobility in sustainable copolymers based on poly(lactic acid) blocks built onto poly(butylene succinate) in situ. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:7846-7858. [PMID: 37811662 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00980g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Two series of newly synthesized sustainable block copolymers based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) and polylactide (PLA) were studied. The copolymers were synthesized by a ring-opening polymerization of PLA in the presence of two initial PBSu of low molar mass. We focused on the effects of the PBSu/PLA ratio (1/99 up to 15/85), chain length and initial PBSu length on the final thermal transitions in the copolymers with an emphasis on molecular mobility/dynamics and subsequently on crystallization. Both aspects are considered relevant to the final materials performance, as well as facilitation of polymer renewability. Calorimetry and dielectric spectroscopy were the main investigation tools. In the amorphous state (i.e., in which the direct effects of copolymer structure are assessable), the segmental mobility of neat PLA was significantly faster in the copolymers. Segmental mobility was monitored via the decrease in the calorimetric and dielectric (α relaxation) glass-transition temperatures, Tg and Tg,diel, respectively. The effect was systematic with an increase in the PBSu/PLA ratio, and was rationalized through the plasticizing role of PBSu (low-Tg component) and facilitated also by the simultaneous lowering of the chain length in the copolymers. Dielectric spectroscopy allowed evaluation of the dynamical fragility (cooperativity) of chains, which was strongly suppressed in the copolymers. This finding suggested an increase in free volume or a gradual increase of interchain distances. This phenomenon could favor the natural enzymatic degradation of the systems (compostability), which is limited in neat PLA. We recorded enhancement of nucleation and the crystalline fraction in the copolymers that was likely connected with faster chain diffusion. Further lowering of the Tg with the implementation of crystallization was noted (which seemed a controversial effect) but which indicated crystallization-induced phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis A Klonos
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos D Bikiaris
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Zamboulis
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Miguel Ángel Valera
- AIMPLAS, Asociación de Investigación de Materiales Plásticos Y Conexas, Carrer de Gustave Eiffel, 4, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Mangas
- AIMPLAS, Asociación de Investigación de Materiales Plásticos Y Conexas, Carrer de Gustave Eiffel, 4, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Apostolos Kyritsis
- Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - Zoi Terzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Rajabifar N, Rostami A. Investigation of the Effect of Hybrid Nanofiller on the Mechanical Performance and Surface Properties of Bio-Based Polylactic Acid/Polyolefin Elastomer (PLA/POE) Blend. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2708. [PMID: 37376354 DOI: 10.3390/polym15122708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Polylactic acid has stood out among bio-based polymers for its usage in the food packaging industry and biomedical fields. Through the melt mixing process, the toughened poly(lactic) acid (PLA) was prepared with polyolefin elastomer (POE), incorporated via various ratios of nanoclay and a fixed amount of nanosilver particles (AgNPs). The correlation between the compatibility and morphology, mechanical properties, and surface roughness of samples with nanoclay was studied. The calculated surface tension and melt rheology confirmed the interfacial interaction demonstrated by droplet size, impact strength, and elongation at break. Each blend sample exhibited matrix-dispersed droplets, and the size of POE droplets steadily dropped with increasing nanoclay content, corresponding to the enhanced thermodynamic affinity between PLA and POE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) acknowledged that the inclusion of nanoclay in the PLA/POE blend ameliorated the mechanical performance by preferable localization in the interface of used components. The optimum value of elongation at break was acquired at about 32.44%, where the incorporation of 1 wt.% nanoclay led, respectively, to 171.4% and 24% enhancement rather than the PLA/POE blend with the composition of 80/20 and the virgin PLA. Similarly, the impact strength reached 3.46 ± 0.18 kJ m-1 as the highest obtained amount, showing the proximity of 23% progress to the unfilled PLA/POE blend. Surface analysis indicated that adding nanoclay caused the augment of surface roughness from 23.78 ± 5.80 µm in the unfilled PLA/POE blend to 57.65 ± 18.2 µm in PLA/POE contained 3 wt.% nanoclay. Rheological measurements implied that organoclay resulted in the strengthening of melt viscosity as well as the rheological parameters such as storage modulus and loss modulus. Han plot further showed that the storage modulus is always higher than the loss modulus in all prepared PLA/POE nanocomposite samples, corresponding to the restriction of polymer chains mobility induced by the formation of strong molecular interaction between nanofillers and polymer chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nariman Rajabifar
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran P.O. Box 15875-4413, Iran
| | - Amir Rostami
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr P.O. Box 75169-13817, Iran
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Jeong J, Yoon S, Yang X, Kim YJ. Super-Tough and Biodegradable Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Transparent Thin Films Toughened by Star-Shaped PCL- b-PDLA Plasticizers. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2617. [PMID: 37376263 DOI: 10.3390/polym15122617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
To obtain fully degradable and super-tough poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) blends, biodegradable star-shaped PCL-b-PDLA plasticizers were synthesized using natural originated xylitol as initiator. These plasticizers were blended with PLGA to prepare transparent thin films. Effects of added star-shaped PCL-b-PDLA plasticizers on mechanical, morphological, and thermodynamic properties of PLGA/star-shaped PCL-b-PDLA blends were investigated. The stereocomplexation strong cross-linked network between PLLA segment and PDLA segment effectively enhanced interfacial adhesion between star-shaped PCL-b-PDLA plasticizers and PLGA matrix. With only 0.5 wt% addition of star-shaped PCL-b-PDLA (Mn = 5000 g/mol), elongation at break of the PLGA blend reached approximately 248%, without any considerable sacrifice over excellent mechanical strength and modulus of PLGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Jeong
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangsoo Yoon
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Xin Yang
- Key Laboratory for Light-Weight Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Young Jun Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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Mulchandani N, Narayan R. Redesigning Carbon-Carbon Backbone Polymers for Biodegradability-Compostability at the End-of-Life Stage. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093832. [PMID: 37175242 PMCID: PMC10180342 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon-carbon backbone polymers are non-biodegradable, persistent plastics that have accumulated on land and oceans due to human activities. They degrade and fragment into microplastics and smaller particle sizes but do not biodegrade at an acceptable and practical rate. Their continual buildup in the natural environment precipitates serious detrimental impacts on human health and the environment, as extensively documented in the literature and media. Nearly 77% of global plastics produced are carbon-carbon backbone polymers. More importantly, 90% of packaging plastics (153.8 million metric tons) are non-biodegradable, persistent carbon-carbon backbone polymers. The recycling rate of these non-durable packaging plastics ranges from 0 to 4%. Re-designing carbon-carbon backbone polymers to labile ester backbone biodegradable-compostable polymers and treating them along with biodegradable organic waste (such as food, paper, and organic wastes) in managed industrial composting is environmentally responsible. Diverting 1 million metric tons of biodegradable organic wastes in MSW bound for landfills and open dumps to industrial composting results in 0.95 million metric tons CO2 equivalents of GHG emissions reduction. This perspective paper discusses strategies and rationales regarding the redesign of carbon-carbon backbone polymer molecules. It describes the carbon footprint reductions achievable by replacing petro-fossil carbon with plant biomass carbon. Biodegradability and compostability are frequently used but misunderstood and misused terms, leading to misleading claims in the marketplace. This paper presents the fundamentals of biodegradability and compostability of plastics and the requirements to be met according to ASTM/ISO international standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Mulchandani
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Ramani Narayan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Politakos N. Block Copolymers in 3D/4D Printing: Advances and Applications as Biomaterials. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15020322. [PMID: 36679203 PMCID: PMC9864278 DOI: 10.3390/polym15020322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
3D printing is a manufacturing technique in constant evolution. Day by day, new materials and methods are discovered, making 3D printing continually develop. 3D printers are also evolving, giving us objects with better resolution, faster, and in mass production. One of the areas in 3D printing that has excellent potential is 4D printing. It is a technique involving materials that can react to an environmental stimulus (pH, heat, magnetism, humidity, electricity, and light), causing an alteration in their physical or chemical state and performing another function. Lately, 3D/4D printing has been increasingly used for fabricating materials aiming at drug delivery, scaffolds, bioinks, tissue engineering (soft and hard), synthetic organs, and even printed cells. The majority of the materials used in 3D printing are polymeric. These materials can be of natural origin or synthetic ones of different architectures and combinations. The use of block copolymers can combine the exemplary properties of both blocks to have better mechanics, processability, biocompatibility, and possible stimulus behavior via tunable structures. This review has gathered fundamental aspects of 3D/4D printing for biomaterials, and it shows the advances and applications of block copolymers in the field of biomaterials over the last years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Politakos
- POLYMAT, Applied Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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Dou Y, Tian N, Ning Z, Jiang N, Gan Z. Facile Method for the Synthesis of PCL- b-PA6- b-PCL Using Amino-Terminated PA6 as a Macroinitiator and Its Characterization. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomaterials, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Nan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomaterials, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Zhenbo Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomaterials, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Ni Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomaterials, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Zhihua Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-inorganic Composites, Beijing Laboratory of Biomaterials, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
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Shen H, Hu Y, Lin Z, Meng F, Ju G. Mechanical Properties, Crystallization Behaviors and Phase Morphologies of PLA/GTR Blends by Reactive Compatibilization. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:7095. [PMID: 36295162 PMCID: PMC9605194 DOI: 10.3390/ma15207095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Different ratios of Polylactic acid/Ground tire rubber (PLA/GTR) were prepared by melt blending and adding dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a reactive compatibilizer. The compatibilizer could initiate a reaction between PLA and GTR to increase the compatibility and interfacial adhesion of the two phases, as indicated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adding the compatibilizer significantly improved the impact strength of the PLA/GTR blends without compromising the tensile strength. The elongation at the break and notched Izod impact strength of the blend increased by 61.8% and 150%, respectively, but there was only a 4.1% decline in tensile strength compared with the neat PLA. The plastic deformation on the impact fractured surface showed that the improvement of toughness could be attributed to the compatibilization initiated by DCP. Therefore, the improvement of the interfacial adhesion and compatibility of the two phases induced a brittle-ductile transition that occurred in the failure of blends. Moreover, the crystallinity of blends reached 40.5% without a further annealing treatment, which was nearly 24 times of the neat PLA, and the crystallization rate was enhanced simultaneously. These exciting findings suggest that compatibilization can provide a promising avenue for fabricating GTR-toughened PLA blends with balanced stiffness-toughness.
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Xia Q, Ye W, Zhang Q, Liu D, Gao S, Fan Z, Liu Q. Structure, properties, and in vitro degradation behavior of biodegradable poly(L‐lactic acid)‐trimethylene carbonate‐glycolide terpolymer. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xia
- Department of Materials Science Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Wuyou Ye
- Department of Materials Science Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Materials Science Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Dongyang Liu
- Department of Materials Science Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Shida Gao
- Department of Materials Science Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Zhongyong Fan
- Department of Materials Science Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Qing Liu
- Beijing Advanced Medical Technologies, Ltd. Inc. Beijing China
- The Institute for Translational Nanomedicine, Shanghai East Hospital, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Nano Science Tongji University School of Medicine Shanghai China
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