| POLYMERS Vol.61 No.4 |
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COVER STORY
Green Polymers: Polymers from Renewable Resources |
| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Polymers with Carbon Dioxide as a Monomer | Koji NAKANO, Kyoko NOZAKI |
| <Abstract>
Copolymerization of epoxides with carbon dioxide to produce aliphatic polycarbonates
is a promising process for CO2 utilization. This article introduces recent
developments in polymerization catalysts based on homogeneous metal complexes
and control of polymer structures and properties. Keywords: Epoxide / Carbon Dioxide / Copolymerization / Polycarbonate / Homogeneous Metal Catalyst |
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| Bio-based Polymeric Materials Based on Plant Oils | Hiroshi UYAMA |
| <Abstract> This account deals with development of bio-based polymers based on plant oils.
Network polymers were obtained from epoxidized soybean and linseed oils
by ring-opening polymerization or curing with amines or acid anhydrides.
Allyl and alkynyl groups were introduced in soybean oil, and these derivatives
were subjected to crosslinking with maleic anhydride and diazide, respectively.
The oil polymer composites were synthesized using inorganics such as
silica and clay and organics such as cellulose fibers and rosin derivatives,
and their physical and thermal properties were improved. A bio-based
coating for roofs was developed from epoxidized plant oil-modified acrylic
polyol. Bio-based polyols were prepared using soybean and castor oils
as starting material for polyurethanes. Branched poly(lactic acid) bearing
a castor oil core was used for preparation of the polyurethane form.
It also acted as plasticizer and nucleating agent for poly(lactic acid). Keywords: Plant Oil / Epoxidized Plant Oil / Coating / Polyol / Polyurethane |
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| New Developments of Biodegradable Biopolyesters | Tadahisa IWATA |
| <Abstract> Polyhydroxyalkanoate
(PHA) is biosynthesized from sugar, plant oils, etc. and accumulated
by a wide variety of microorganisms as an intracellular carbon and energy
storage materials. PHA is extensively studied as a biodegradable and
biocompatible thermoplastic. This article introduces fundamental properties,
industrial production, high-functionability, biodegradability, biocompatibility,
and future aspects. Keywords: Microbial Polyesters / Polyhydroxyalkanoate / Mechanical Properties / Strong Fibers / Enzymatic Degradation / Biocompatibility / Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) |
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| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| Development of High Melting Point Polylactide | Hideshi KURIHARA |
| <Abstract> A
polylactide with higher melting point than the conventional polylactide
was developed. Its production depends on the formation of stable stereocomplex
crystals that are received in the melt processes. Moreover, both the
hydrolysis resistance and the crystallization speed in the molding process
are improved. These improvements lead us to develop durable goods with
the polylactide. Keywords: Polylactide / Stereocomplex Crystal / Melting Point / Hydrolysis Resistance / Crystallinity |
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| Development of Highly Function Bioplastics Used for Electronic Products: Polylactic Acid Compounds and Cardanol-Bonded Cellulose Resin Performing Functions for Electronic Products | Masatoshi IJI |
| <Abstract> To
use bioplastics in electronic equipments, we have developed advanced
polylactic acid (PLA) composites by using unique additives while fully
preserving high biomass-based component ratio and chemical safety. Furthermore,
a bioplastic composed of non-food plant resources with stable supply
was produced by bonding cellulose with cardanol, a primary component
of cashew nut shells. Keywords: Bioplastics / Polylactic Acid / Cellulose / Cardanol / Electronic Equipments |
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| Development of Microbial Biodegradable Plastic | Yasuhiro MIKI |
| <Abstract> KANEKA
Biopolymer AONILEX® is Poly(R-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-R-3-hydroxyhexanoate),
an entirely bio-based and biodegradable plastic produced by microorganism.
Its pilot-scale production has been started in May 2011 at a capacity
of 1,000 MT/y to develop innovative production technologies, new product
applications and experimental sales programs. Its unique properties and
possible applications are described. Keywords: Bio-Based / Biodegradable / Anaerobic / Aerobic / Compostable / Polyhydroxyalkanoate |
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| Biotechnology for a More Sustainable Society and Polymers Based on Bio-1,3 Propanediol | Mureo KAKU |
| <Abstract> Considering
current mega-trends, we are facing big challenges. Bio-technology is
a vital tool to make our society more sustainable. 1,3-Propanediol (PDO)
is the first commercialized products from DuPont's advanced biotechnology.
Bio-based PDO can be used as monomer of various polymers. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) derived from bio-PDO offering unique functions, is one of the most popular biopolymers used in textiles, carpets, molded parts and films. Keywords: Mega-trend / Sustainable / Bio-1,3-propanediol / Poly(Trimethylene Terephthalate) / Textile / Carpet / Injection Parts / Film |
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| Polyamide 11: New Material and Application Development of Castor Oil Based Engineering Plastic | Atsushi MIYABO |
| <Abstract> Polyamide
11, one of the oldest bio-based polyamide using castor oil as raw material,
has been used for many applications such as automotive, electronics and
sports. Recent new material development based on C11 chemistry has been
creating new high added value market to replace conventional petroleum
based engineering plastics. Keywords: Polyamide 11 / Castor Oil / 11-Aminoundecanoic Acid / High Temperature Polyamide / Odd Number Polyamide / Polyamide Elastomer |
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| Development of Transparent Engineering Plastics “DURABIO®” from Renewable Resources | Michio NAKATA, Takashi KOMAYA |
| <Abstract> DURABIO®,
a transparent bio-based engineering plastic, developed by Mitsubishi
Chemical, is not only biomass-derived, but also possesses excellent optical
properties in combination with high UV resistance (no discoloration)
and puncture impact at levels higher than conventional transparent plastics.
In 2010, we started to deliver samples from our new pilot plant, and
will start commercial production and sales of DURABIO® in 2012. Keywords: Sustainability / Bio-based Plastic / Renewable Resources / Engineering Plastic / Durability / Isosorbide / Melt Polymerization |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| My Love with Polymer | Makoto OUCHI |
| <Abstract> In
this article, let me introduce how I have fallen in “love” with the polymer
world. I was assigned to Prof. Sawamoto's laboratory in Kyoto University
when I was in my undergraduate senior year. Thereafter, I
had been doing research on “stereospecific cationic polymerization with
designed Lewis acid catalysts” to learn how to grow well-defined polymers.
After getting my PhD degree, I joined Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc. to work on the development of poly(lactic acid)-based automobile
resins. Through this project, I learned how to treat polymers as well
as the synthetic methodologies, and realized again the importance of
structural control over primary structures. My professional polymer life changed dramatically upon my former teacher's invitation to accept an academic position in his laboratory. One of my current projects here is “sequence control” of synthetic polymers. My love story with polymer will be far from over in the quest of the ideal structure. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| Mendable Polymers with a Viewpoint of Reaction Kinetics | Naoko YOSHIE |
| <Abstract> Polymer
materials always suffer environmental stress and get damaged. Mendable
polymers are polymers having capability to repair cracks, scratches and
other damages based on dynamic bonds. Mendability offers extension of
working life and enhancement of safety performance of polymer materials.
Their mending, which is induced by the reversible formation of dynamic
bonds bridging the crack surfaces, requires two conditions of reaction
kinetics: thermodynamic stability of the dynamic bond and molecular mobility
of the free functional groups generated by the dissociation of the dynamic
bonds at the damaged surfaces. In this review, the mending process of
polymers is outlined from a viewpoint of these two conditions. Keywords: Self-Healing Polymers / Mendable Polymers / Molecular Mobility / Reaction Kinetics / Dynamic Bonds / Reversibility |
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