Investigating the impact of hydrogen bonding in blends containing lignin-derivable polymers
Date
2023
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
In this work, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was blended with lignin-derivable polymers to investigate the effects of hydrogen bonding on phase behavior. Polymers are ubiquitous to society, but many are made from petroleum-based products that cause environmental concerns. The use of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) reduces the burden of petroleum products. Lignin is an underused component of LCB that can be deconstructed and used as a platform for high-value products. Lignin-derivable polymethacrylates, such as poly(guaiacyl methacrylate) and poly(syringyl methacrylate), have desirable glass transition temperatures (Tgs) and provide various mesophases for applications like pressure-sensitive adhesives if used in biobased block polymers. Polymer blends are synthetically less intensive and could provide alternative methods to leverage the desirable properties for these polymethacrylates. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to show that hydrogen bonding occurs between the methoxy group of the polymethacrylates and the hydroxyl group of the PAA. The phase behavior of the blends was estimated for a range of compositions and temperatures, compared to differential scanning calorimetry results, and used to determine the limitations of the model. Overall, the results of this work provided insight into the hydrogen-bonding interactions in the system and an estimation of its phase behavior across a range of compositions and temperatures.
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Keywords
Hydrogen bonding, Environmental concerns, Lignocellulosic biomass, Petroleum products, Glass transition temperatures