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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Bio-oils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419054
Research Project: New High-Value Biobased Materials with Applications Across Industry

Location: Bio-oils Research

Title: Development of biobased polyesters from Camphoric acid as replacements for nonrenewable plastics

Author
item Culpepper, Kadisha
item Winfield, Demichael
item Moser, Bryan

Submitted to: Regional Meeting of American Chemical Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/25/2024
Publication Date: 10/25/2024
Citation: Culpepper, K.M., Winfield, D.D., Moser, B.R. 2024. Development of biobased polyesters from Camphoric acid as replacements for nonrenewable plastics. Illinois Heartland ACS Chemistry Conference, Peoria, IL, October 25, 2024.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In an effort to shift to a circular economy nationwide, the United States aims to create innovative solutions to prevent and reduce plastics pollution. There is an increasing need for biodegradable plastics to replace the current plastics which contain toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” Additionally, there is a drive to switch from petroleum derived materials to natural renewable materials. Camphoric acid is the diacid derivative of the terpene camphor, which is formed from turpentine byproduct in the wood pulp industry, making it biodegradable and renewable. The goal of this study was to develop a series of biodegradable branched camphorate polyesters with high thermal and mechanical properties for use as alternatives to current petrochemically-derived plastics which contain PFAS. Camphoric acid will react with renewable polyols, such as glycerol and xylitol, via thermal melt polymerization. To determine the optimal synthetic route, catalyst type, stoichiometric ratio, and reaction time will be altered. We expect that the hyperbranched structure of the polyester will form crosslinked networks that will result in good thermal and mechanical properties. Preliminary data shows that the formation of poly(glycerol camphorate) was optimal at 183°C with the use of catalytic antimony(III) oxide, an acid/polyol ratio of 1:2, and a reaction time of 48 hrs. Future studies will focus on finetuning experimental conditions for poly(xylitol camphorate), as well as investigating the use of camphoric acid derivatives for polymerization to increase reactivity and potentially reduce reaction temperatures.