Renewable Poly(butene 2, 5-furan dicarboxylate) Nanocomposites Constructed by TiO2 Nanocubes: Synthesis, Crystallization, and Properties

Oxygen-Sensitive Nanomaterials Synthesized in an Open System: Water-Triggered Nucleation and Its Controllability in the Growth Process

A novel method has been developed for synthesizing the oxygen-sensitive nanomaterial W18O49, utilizing 1,3-propanediol as a solvent, with water-triggered nucleation and controllable crystal growth in an open system. The amount of water addition was precisely investigated for the effect of the crystal growth process. Furthermore, the incorporation of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid into the process led to the successful preparation of a functionalized nanocomposite polyester, W18O49/poly(propylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PTF), through in situ polymerization, exhibiting superior thermal insulation properties.

Biobased Polyesters with Ultrahigh UV Shielding and Water Degradation Derived from Multifunctional Tetracyclic Diesters

The development of biobased polyesters with the combination of high UV shielding and degradability is a significant challenge. Herein, three 4-membered cyclic monomers containing two pyrrolidone and two furan rings were prepared by the aza-Michael addition of biobased bifuran diamine and dimethyl itaconate (DMI). They were available in melt polycondensation reactions with various diols to synthesize biobased polyesters. The bifuran structure endowed the polyesters with ultrahigh UV-shielding cutoff values of up to 443 nm, which achieved the highest UV-shielding results among the commercial polyesters. The bipyrrolidone structure conferred high hydrolysis sensitivity to the polyesters, which facilitated hydrolytic degradation of the polyester in an aqueous environment. The variability of the link structure between the multirings of the three monomers can regulate the various properties of the polyesters. Overall, the 4-membered cyclic monomers are promising precursors for sustainable biobased materials in providing high UV shielding and hydrolysis sensitivity.

Influence of Low Loadings of Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Simultaneously Enhanced Crystallization Rate, Mechanical Property, and Hydrophilicity of Biobased Poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)

In this research, fully biobased composites consisting of poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were successfully prepared through a common solution and casting method. The influence of CNC on the crystallization behavior, mechanical property, and hydrophilicity of PBF was systematically investigated. Under different crystallization processes, the crystallization of PBF was obviously promoted by CNC as a biobased nucleating agent. The Ozawa equation was not suitable to fit the nonisothermal melt crystallization kinetics of PBF and PBF/CNC composites. The nucleation activity of CNC was quantitatively calculated by the Dobreva method; moreover, the nucleation efficiency of CNC was further evaluated through the self-nucleation procedure. The isothermal melt crystallization kinetics of PBF and PBF/CNC composites was well described by the Avrami method; moreover, the crystallization mechanism and the crystal structure of PBF remained unchanged despite the presence of CNC. CNC also greatly enhanced both the mechanical property and hydrophilicity of PBF in the composites. In sum, low loadings of CNC simultaneously improved the crystallization, mechanical property, and hydrophilicity of PBF, which should be of significant importance and interest in fully biobased polymer composites from a sustainable viewpoint.

Mechanical and Gas Barrier Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid) Modified by Blending with Poly(Butylene 2,5-Furandicarboxylate): Based on Molecular Dynamics

Three blends of Poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) and Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends were modeled using molecular dynamics simulations, with PBF contents of 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. The study investigated the compatibilities of the blends, as well as the mechanical and gas barrier properties of the composite systems. The molecular dynamics simulation results show that: (1) PLA and PBF have good compatibility in the blend system; (2) the optimal toughness modification was achieved with a 20% PBF content, resulting in a 17.3% increase in toughness compared to pure PLA; (3) the barrier properties of the blend for O2, CO2, and N2 increased when increasing the PBF content. Compared to pure PLA, the diffusion coefficients of the O2, CO2, and N2 of the blends with 30% PBF decreased by 75%, 122%, and 188%, respectively. Our simulation results are in good agreement with the actual experimental results.

Recent advances in the development of green furan ring-containing polymeric materials based on renewable plant biomass

Fossil resources are rapidly depleting, forcing researchers in various fields of chemistry and materials science to switch to the use of renewable sources and the development of corresponding technologies. In this regard, the field of sustainable materials science is experiencing an extraordinary surge of interest in recent times due to the significant advances made in the development of new polymers with desired and controllable properties. This review summarizes important scientific reports in recent times dedicated to the synthesis, construction and computational studies of novel sustainable polymeric materials containing unchanged (pseudo)aromatic furan cores in their structure. Linear polymers for thermoplastics, branched polymers for thermosets and other crosslinked materials are emerging materials to highlight. Various polymer blends and composites based on sustainable polyfurans are also considered as pathways to achieve high-value-added products.

Recent Progress on Bio-Based Polyesters Derived from 2,5-Furandicarbonxylic Acid (FDCA)

The big challenge today is the upgrading of sustainable materials to replace miscellaneous ones from petroleum resources. Thus, a generic bio-based building block lays the foundation of the huge bio-market to green economy. 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a rigid diacid derived from lignocellulose or fructose, represents a great potential as a contender to terephthalic acid (TPA). Recently, studies on the synthesis, modification, and functionalization of bio-based polyesters based on FDCA have attracted widespread attention. To apply furanic polyesters on engineering plastics, packaging materials, electronics, etc., researchers have extended the properties of basic FDCA-based homo-polyesters by directional copolymerization and composite preparation. This review covers the synthesis and performance of polyesters and composites based on FDCA with emphasis bedded on the thermomechanical, crystallization, barrier properties, and biodegradability. Finally, a summary of what has been achieved and the issues waiting to be addressed of FDCA-based polyester materials are suggested.