Chemistry Commons^™

Synthesis And Characterization Of Sustainable And Biobased Copolymers From Lignocellulosic, Guery Saenz

Theses and Dissertations

Natural compounds have been the primary resource used to produce polymeric materials by humankind since the mid-1900s. Yet, progress in bio-based polymers from renewable feedstock has encountered some obstacles, mainly due to the low prices of petroleum-based monomers, compared to natural and sustainable materials. However, most commodity plastics are non-degradable materials, and solid plastic waste accumulation adversely affects the environment. As the world population is growing and demanding chemicals, energy, and plastics materials, polymer research is focusing on synthesizing bio-based and degradable polymers. Thus, biomass, a sustainable and inexpensive feedstock, is highly appropriate for designing alternative thermoplastics that are degradable …