Bench-Scale Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Aliphatic–Aromatic Random Copolymers with 1,4-Cyclohexanedimethanol Units Toward Sustainable Packaging Applications

Abstract

The development of biodegradable packaging films can resolve environmental issues caused by plastic waste, but it still remains a great challenge to develop economically feasible polymers that simultaneously balance robust mechanical properties, biodegradability, and transparency. In this work, we describe the bench-scale synthesis (∼1.5 kg) and blown film characterization of new biodegradable aliphatic–aromatic copolymers, poly­(1,4-butylene-1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene carbonate–terephthalate)­s (PBCCTs) with different molar ratios of two diol monomers, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) and 1,4-butandiol (BD), from 0:1 to 5:5 (CHDM/BD) to optimize the mechanical, optical, and thermal properties and biodegradability. The incorporation of CHDM units significantly impacted the thermal properties of the blown films from these copolymers; PBCCT films with 50 mol % CHDM content had a more amorphous and glassy character compared with the films with 0 mol % CHDM. And, PBCCT films with 30–50% CHDM content exhibited superior mechanical properties (tear strength = 11.5 kgf/mm and tensile strength = 369 kgf/cm2) and comparable transparency (haze = 16%) to those of nondegradable polyethylenes (PEs), the most commonly employed materials for packaging film applications. Taken together, the bench-scale synthesis of biodegradable polymers with suitable thermomechanical, optical, and permeability properties presented here showcases the potential of these materials as sustainable packaging materials.

Polymer Chemistries Underpinning Materials for Skin-Inspired Electronics

“…44−46 By the design of electronics to be transient, nontoxic byproducts and the potential for recyclability may alleviate the adverse human impact on ecology and yield disintegrable implantable devices. 47 Because transient devices do not require a secondary surgical retrieval, we foresee advancements in developing passive or self-powered devices or developing biodegradable energy sources (i.e., degradable batteries) to exploit the transient functionality. Moreover, as most implantable biodegradable devices will be placed intimately with dynamic soft tissue, it will be invaluable to concurrently engineer transience and stretchability.…”

“…Skin-inspired electronics draw inspiration from this natural cycle of degradation and its potential for recyclability. In contrast to conventional microelectronics engineered to last indefinitely, transient (or biodegradable) electronics physically disintegrate in a programmable manner. − By the design of electronics to be transient, nontoxic byproducts and the potential for recyclability may alleviate the adverse human impact on ecology and yield disintegrable implantable devices . Because transient devices do not require a secondary surgical retrieval, we foresee advancements in developing passive or self-powered devices or developing biodegradable energy sources (i.e., degradable batteries) to exploit the transient functionality.…”

Antioxidant functionalization of biomaterials via reactive extrusion

“…There is therefore an urgent need for research identifying suitable bio-based alternative for the 140 million tons of petroleum-based plastic materials produced annually. [4][5][6] Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an aliphatic thermoplastic polyester believed to be one of the most prominent biomaterials to replace petroleum-based polymeric materials [7][8] owing to its high strength, transparency, processability, and commercial availability. 9 In addition, PLA's production from renewable feedstocks and its biodegradable end of life resolution make it one of the most commonly explored bioplastics for greener packaged food solutions.…”

“…In the food packaging industry, particular concerns over contamination with toxic or unapproved substances in secondary and tertiary recycling streams 3 lead to its decreased usage, in favor of virgin plastic materials. There is therefore an urgent need for research identifying suitable bio‐based alternative for the 140 million tons of petroleum‐based plastic materials produced annually 4–6 . Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an aliphatic thermoplastic polyester believed to be one of the most prominent biomaterials to replace petroleum‐based polymeric materials 7–8 owing to its high strength, transparency, processability, and commercial availability 9 .…”

Flame retardancy of polyurethane foams prepared from green polyols with flame retardants

“…The polyol CHDM provides good thermal and physical properties to the copolymer. 10,11 Flame-retardant properties of PUFs can be obtained by introducing flame retardants, which are divided into reactive and additive types. 12 For the reactive type, halogen, phosphorus, and nitrogen are incorporated into the polyurethane chain in the synthesis, endowing the PUFs with flame retardancy.…”