DEVELOPMENT OF OXYGENATED HYDROCARBON-BASED CO2- SOLUBLE POLYMERS

Recently the use of
sub/supercritical CO2 has received much attention as
a green alternative to organic solvents for chemical
processes because of its pressure-tunable
physicochemical properties and economic advantages.
But, the advantages are diminished because of a
narrow range of CO2-soluble materials. The goal of
this work is to identify and design oxygenated
hydrocarbon-based CO2-soluble polymers that are able
to serve as construction blocks for CO2 soluble
materials. Without concerning on the cost and the
environmental persistence like fluorinated materials,
the inexpensive and environmentally benign materials
would significantly enhance the viability of
CO2-based technology. We proposed
specific new polymer structures: poly (3-acetoxy
oxetane), poly (vinyl methoxymethyl ether), and
cellulose triacetate oligomers. Phase behavior
studies were also performed with CO2-philic compounds
containing vinyl acetate, propylene glycol, or tert-
butyl groups. New non-fluorous CO2-soluble materials
were identified, which were acetate-rich with
flexible chains, weak self-interactions, and
multidentate interaction between CO2 and the
functional groups.

Autorentext
Lei Hong, received his PhD in chemical engineering from the
University of Pittsburgh in 2006, is working as a research
assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, still in
Pitt. His research experiences include the development of
membranes for fluorous separations, the design of microreactors,
and supercritical fluid technology.

Klappentext
Recently the use of sub/supercritical CO2 has received much attention as a green alternative to organic solvents for chemical processes because of its pressure-tunable physicochemical properties and economic advantages. But, the advantages are diminished because of a narrow range of CO2-soluble materials. The goal of this work is to identify and design oxygenated hydrocarbon-based CO2-soluble polymers that are able to serve as construction blocks for CO2 soluble materials. Without concerning on the cost and the environmental persistence like fluorinated materials, the inexpensive and environmentally benign materials would significantly enhance the viability of CO2-based technology. We proposed specific new polymer structures: poly (3-acetoxy oxetane), poly (vinyl methoxymethyl ether), and cellulose triacetate oligomers. Phase behavior studies were also performed with CO2-philic compounds containing vinyl acetate, propylene glycol, or tert- butyl groups. New non-fluorous CO2-soluble materials were identified, which were acetate-rich with flexible chains, weak self-interactions, and multidentate interaction between CO2 and the functional groups.