Work

Depolymerized Poly(ethylene-2,5-furanoate) as a Sustainable Feedstock for Biobased Unsaturated Polyester Resins

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study describes the chemical upcycling of poly-(ethylene-2,5-furanoate) (PEF) waste into biobased thermosetting materials. High molar-mass PEF of intrinsic viscosity of 1.04 dL/g, serving as a model of postconsumer PEF, was synthesized by melt polymerization followed by solid-state polymerization. After characterization, PEF was depolymerized by glycolysis to give a mixture of hydroxy-terminated oligomers suitable as a raw material for the production of styrene-free unsaturated polyester resins. It was exemplified in a series of formulations that use biobased itaconic acid as a source of polyester unsaturation and biobased dimethyl itaconate as a reactive diluent. Mechanical and thermoanalytic testing of the cured formulations indicates that biobased materials produced in this way can serve as an equal substitute for fossil-based polyester resins currently used in the industry.

Source: Macromolecules

DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5c01600

Authors: Tomáš Foltýn, Jan Všetečka, Roman Svoboda, Štěpán Podzimek, Jaromír Vinklárek, Jan Honzíček

Institution: University of Pardubice

Language: English

Topic: biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500