The quest for sustainable polyesters – insights into the future

Abstract

Polyesters from renewable resources are an expanding area with a burgeoning scientific activity, nevertheless little has been reviewed about this particular class of polymers. The present appraisal intends to contribute to fill this literature gap by reviewing recent aspects related to the most promising renewable-based polyesters. Emphasis will be placed on bio-based polyesters that, given their comparable properties, may replace polymers derived from fossil fuel feedstock, and on bio-based polyesters with completely innovative properties for novel applications. Furthermore, the sources of renewable monomers will also be reviewed, together with the most relevant eco-friendly synthetic approaches used in polycondensation reactions leading to polyesters.

Biobased UV-curable coatings based on itaconic acid

“…Reaction conditions were otherwise the same as for PIB, and the polymerization was conducted until the acid number measured 40 mg/g. 1 …”

“…This polyester was synthesized four times and terminated at different acid numbers to yield four polyesters with different molecular weights: AN = 90 mg/g, AN = 70 mg/g, AN = 60 mg/g and AN = 40 mg/g. 1 (Table 1). PISB-50: IA (8.40 g, 64.6 mmol), SA (7.70 g, 64.6 mmol), 1,4-BD (14.0 g, 155 mmol), p-toluene sulfonic acid (100 mg, added as catalyst), and 4-methoxyphenol (100 mg, added as radical inhibitor) were placed in a three-necked round-bottom flask.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Although a renewable feedstock starts to be established in several thermoplastics materials, less progress has been found in other areas such as thermoset coatings. 3,[5][6][7][8][9] The number of available monomers having suitable functionalities for crosslinking is still sparse, and both novel crosslinking chemistries and introduction of new monomers need to be further developed.…”

Studies to optimize the process of biofuel production from castor stalk

“…The oil produced from this crop is considered to be of importance to the global specialty chemical industry because it is the only commercial source of a hydroxylated fatty acid [11,12]. Consequently, there has been a steady increasing demand for castor oil and its products in the market because of their renewable nature, biodegradability and eco-friendliness [13,14].…”

Progress in the synthesis of sustainable polymers from terpenes and terpenoids

“…[5][6][7] Renewable raw materials have the potential to provide a wide range of monomers arguably as comprehensive as those provided by the petrochemical industry. 8 The increase in academic research and, recently, industrial attention is likely to ensure that society starts to utilise renewable chemicals for the production of plastics. 9,10 As mentioned earlier, renewable polymers currently on the market cannot compete with petroleum-based plastics, and this will not change until the technology is developed further.…”