Strategic Assemblies of Modified Xylochemicals for New Bio-Based Polymers

摘要

The purpose of the presented work is to provide society with alternative polyphenolic molecules that are derived from xylochemicals (wood-derived building blocks). The xylochemicals utilized are molecules that we currently obtain, or have the potential to obtain, from a variety of lignocellulosic biorefineries, from pulp and paper mills to fermenters to brewer's spent grains. As lignin is known as Earth's most prevalent aromatic biopolymer, our approach has focused on strategically designing, synthesizing, and testing polyphenolic molecules, monomers, oligomers, and resins containing aromatic lignin-derived units, such as guaiacyls, coniferyls, and courmaryls, and other bio-based molecules, such as cardanol, carvacrol, and betulin. Similar to nature, we strive to engineer materials that aid in sustaining life, withstand environmental stress factors, and serve multiple needs. Testing has included spectroscopic, rheological, thermomechanical, thermogravimetric, mechanical, and toxicity measurements to fundamentally understand the structure-processing-property-toxicity relationships of these novel materials. As a result of this work, we are generating a valuable library of xylochemical-based polyphenolics and their functionalized derivatives for use in high-performing polymer applications, including coatings, adhesives, and composites.