| POLYMERS Vol.64 No.12 |
| >> Japanese | >> English |
COVER STORY
Polymers on the Green Planet: Trends in Biomass-Based Polymers |
| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Biopolyesters | Hideki ABE |
| <Abstract> Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHAs) have emerged as a family of aliphatic polyesters produced by a number of bacteria. PHAs have attracted much attention as biodegradable thermoplastics to solve the waste disposal challenge. Currently, from the viewpoint of effective utilization of natural resources, the PHAs are recognized as bio-based polymeric materials produced from renewable biomass resources. In this article, I have attempted to give an overview of research and development on biosynthesis, structure, processing and properties of PHAs, and to relate prospects of the field. Keywords: Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s / Biosynthesis / Structure / Processing / Physical Properties |
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| The Development Situation of the Biobased Plastics and its Future Forecast | Isao INOMATA |
| <Abstract> The business development of bioplastics in Japan is moving rapidly now. From early 2000th many Japanese company started their business development work of Bioplastics products from polylacticacid (PLA) and in various business sectors they succeeded in launching their products in the market. But the cost/performance of the products couldn't exceed the products from conventional petrochemicals products yet. The demand of the bioplastics is still remained less than 1% of the total plastics consumption in Japan. From 2010th another movement started caused by the the production of the conventional petrochemical plastics like polyethylene (PE) and polyethylenterephthalate (PET) from bio-ethanol and people forecast that Bio-PET rapidly increase the production capacity in near future. At present it is not clear which will be the main movement yet but both way will contribute to develop the business of bioplastics in total. I will explain the recent business situation of bio-based plastics in Japan and the future forecast and issues. Keywords: Bioplastics / Products Development / Japanese Market / Future Forecast / Future Issue |
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| Bio-Composites for the Automotive Industry | Takuya NISHIMURA |
| <Abstract> Stiffness and heat resistance are characteristics of natural fibers that they have in common with conventional fillers such as talc and glass fiber but the advantage of natural fibers is their lightness. The properties of our in house developed bio-composite in the automotive industry are described in this paper. Keywords: Bio-Composite / Natural Fibers / Bioplastic / Automotive Industry |
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| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| Biobased Content for Plastics Products and its ISO Standardization | Masao KUNIOKA |
| <Abstract> Production of plastics products with biobased constituents from biomass resources is desirable for conserving our planet's limited resources and preventing global warming. The biobased content is the index of the amount for biomass-based compound in plastics or rubber products. The determination methods of biobased contents such as biobased carbon content, biobased synthetic polymer content and biobased mass content based on ISO 16620 series for plastics or ISO 19984 series for rubber products are explained. ISO 16620 and 19984 series are discussed in ISO technical committee TC61 (Plastics) and TC45 (Rubber and rubber products). Keywords: Biomass-Based Plastics / Biobased Plastics / Biobased Content / Biobased Carbon Content / Biobased Mass Content / Biobased Synthetic Polymer Content |
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| Structural Standardization of Lignin for Advanced Utilization | Masamitsu FUNAOKA |
| <Abstract> Lignin is composed of molecular segments that are different in size, structure and function. The lignin building block (1st Segment) is composed of aliphatic and aromatic units, having amphiphilic property. First segments are linked by dehydrogenative polymerization to give branched linear-type chains (2nd Segments), which are combined through nucleophilic addition to quinonemethides to form network polymers (3rd Segments). These are coagulated to give lignin mass (4th Segment). Sequential control technology of lignin segments has been developed in the Funaoka Lab in Mie University, Japan. This system includes “Selective C1 phenolysis” leading to diphenylmethane (DPM) type units (Key process: Phase separation process) and “C2 arylether control”. The phenolated 2nd segments (lignophenols) derived from native lignin through selective C1 phenolysis are multi-functional materials. By choosing the properties of C1 phenols, the functionalities of lignophenols can be controlled. By the selective cleavage of C2 aryl ethers, lignophenols are released to form functional oligomers. Finally, DPM type units are released to give monomers through a phenyl nucleus exchange reaction. Keywords: Lignocellulose / Lignin / Lignophenol / Phase-Separation Process / Sequential Control / Sustainable Utilization |
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| Physical Properties of Structural Proteins as a Structural Material | Keiji NUMATA |
| <Abstract> Structural proteins are biomass-based polyamides, which are applicable to structural materials. One typical and well-studied structural protein is a spider dragline silk. The stiffness, strength, and optical properties of the silk are regulated by orientation and alignment of β-sheet crystals. However, the structural change of silks during stretching deformation has not been clarified yet. In addition, the thermal stability and property of silk are essential information for bulk material design of silk. Here, we introduce our recent update on the structural change of silk fibers during stretching deformation and thermal property of silk film and fibers. Structural analyses showed that the crystallisation of the silks, following extension deformation, has a critical effect on their mechanical and optical properties. Furthermore, the relationship between water contents and thermal properties of silks is also cleared. These findings should aid the production of artificial silk fibers and facilitate the development of silk-inspired functional materials. Keywords: β-Sheet Crystal / Silk / Structural Material / Thermal Property |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Almost Around 40's, Still Looking for Myself | Kazuki FUKUSHIMA |
| <Abstract> What you are focusing on right now could be what you should not do for the next decades, regardless of how much time you spend on it and how big your enthusiasm for it is. I am still asking myself what my specialty is and where the originality exists in my research, even though great outcomes were achieved. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| New Trend of Bio-Based Elastomers | Hiroshi UYAMA, Yoshihisa NAKAZAWA |
| <Abstract> This account deals with new trends of bio-based elastomers, especially focusing on bio-based trans-1,4-polyisoprene and plant oil-based polymers. Eucommia ulmoides accumulates trans-1,4-polyisoprene (EuTPI) in the leaves, bark, root, and fruit coatings, which exhibits higher modulus and less flexibility than cis-1,4-polyisoprene. Recent progress on isolation engineering of EuTPI for industrialization and fundamental properties of EuTPI were mentioned. Physically crosslinked EuTPI was prepared by grafting of maleic anhydride on EuTPI. Hydroxyl group-introduced soybean oil as well as castor oil and its derivatives were developed as polyol for bio-based polyurethane elastomers. Other bio-based elastomers from plant oils were also cited. Keywords: Biomass Plastics / Elastomers / Plant Oils / Trans-1,4-Polyisoprene / Castor Oil / Soybean Oil |
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