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Enzymatic Synthesis of Poly(lactic acid) Based Polyester Capable of Functionalization.

Liu, Tong
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1430749638

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Science, University of Akron, Polymer Science.
A significant amount of time, money, and research has been devoted in the past decade to find “greener”, more renewable materials to replace the current, standard petroleum-based polymeric materials. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a promising alternative as lactic acid, the monomer, can be obtained from agricultural resources and both the polymer and monomer are biodegradable1,2. However, PLA has limitations. For example, PLA contains only two convenient locations for functionalization: the end groups. Dependent upon the application, functionalization along the backbone of the polymer may be more desirable. One approach to overcome this problem is to copolymerize the lactic acid with other monomers that offer sites for functionalization along the backbone. The Pugh group currently copolymerizes lactic acid with 2-bromo-3-hydroxypropionic acid by a step-growth mechanism using p-toluene sulfonic acid as a catalyst3. The 2-bromo-3-hydroxypropionic acid is unique because it is synthesized from D,L-serine, an amino acid, which is a renewable resource4. Although the chemical synthesis of PLA is very efficient, it often leaves chemical residues that have health and safety concerns. Thus, enzymatic syntheses have received increasing attention as effective biocatalysts. This research focus on the study of enzymatic copolymerization of LA with 2-bromo-3-hydroxypropanoic acid using Novozym 435 (physically immobilized Candida antarctica Lipase B, abbreviated as N435), which is considered an effective lipase catalyst for polyesterifications5. However, if a high molecular weight polymer or a well controlled polymer with narrow poly-dispersity is desired, this approach has its drawbacks. To overcome this, the goal of my project is to synthesize these functional polyesters by changing the starting materials and conditions. The brominated monomer and lactic acid will be the starting material to make halogenated monomers that can be co-polymerized to produce higher molecular weight PLA capable of functionalization.
Coleen Pugh, Dr. (Advisor)
Matthew Becker, Dr. (Committee Member)
75 p.
Polymer Chemistry

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Liu, T. (2015). Enzymatic Synthesis of Poly(lactic acid) Based Polyester Capable of Functionalization. [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1430749638

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Liu, Tong. Enzymatic Synthesis of Poly(lactic acid) Based Polyester Capable of Functionalization. 2015. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1430749638.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Liu, Tong. "Enzymatic Synthesis of Poly(lactic acid) Based Polyester Capable of Functionalization." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1430749638

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1430749638
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This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.