Synthesis and characterization of bio-based furanic polyesters

Recent work in biomass-based furanic polyesters has shown that they deliver a good balance of sustainability advantage with improved performance and economics. In light of that research, completely renewable furanic polyesters with novel compositions and enhanced performance were synthesized using two different polymerization methods and characterized. These materials, based on ethylene glycol (PEF) and 1,4-Butanediol (PBF), exhibit thermal and structural properties similar to fossil-based poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), which is widely used in beverage packaging. Direct polycondensation method resulted in doubling the yield of polymer with properties identical to those of material synthesized using trans-esterification. PBF synthesized using our process has unique thermal properties (higher glass transition and lower melting temperature) that could result in lower costs and environmental impacts associated with the processing step. The other new polymer compositions were also well characterized for potential high-temperature applications. The biomass-based furanic polyesters are a potential sustainable alternative for petroleum-based PET in packaging applications.