Recent Developments in Synthesis, Properties, Applications and Recycling of Bio-Based Elastomers
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Published:2024-01-12
Issue:2
Volume:29
Page:387
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ISSN:1420-3049
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Container-title:Molecules
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Molecules
Author:
Burelo Manuel1ORCID, Martínez Araceli2ORCID, Hernández-Varela Josué David3ORCID, Stringer Thomas4ORCID, Ramírez-Melgarejo Monserrat4ORCID, Yau Alice Y.5, Luna-Bárcenas Gabriel1, Treviño-Quintanilla Cecilia D.1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Queretaro 76130, Mexico 2. Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro No. 8701, Col. Ex. Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia 58190, Michoacán, Mexico 3. Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07700, Mexico 4. School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Queretaro 76130, Mexico 5. Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA
Abstract
In 2021, global plastics production was 390.7 Mt; in 2022, it was 400.3 Mt, showing an increase of 2.4%, and this rising tendency will increase yearly. Of this data, less than 2% correspond to bio-based plastics. Currently, polymers, including elastomers, are non-recyclable and come from non-renewable sources. Additionally, most elastomers are thermosets, making them complex to recycle and reuse. It takes hundreds to thousands of years to decompose or biodegrade, contributing to plastic waste accumulation, nano and microplastic formation, and environmental pollution. Due to this, the synthesis of elastomers from natural and renewable resources has attracted the attention of researchers and industries. In this review paper, new methods and strategies are proposed for the preparation of bio-based elastomers. The main goals are the advances and improvements in the synthesis, properties, and applications of bio-based elastomers from natural and industrial rubbers, polyurethanes, polyesters, and polyethers, and an approach to their circular economy and sustainability. Olefin metathesis is proposed as a novel and sustainable method for the synthesis of bio-based elastomers, which allows for the depolymerization or degradation of rubbers with the use of essential oils, terpenes, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols from natural resources such as chain transfer agents (CTA) or donors of the terminal groups in the main chain, which allow for control of the molecular weights and functional groups, obtaining new compounds, oligomers, and bio-based elastomers with an added value for the application of new polymers and materials. This tendency contributes to the development of bio-based elastomers that can reduce carbon emissions, avoid cross-contamination from fossil fuels, and obtain a greener material with biodegradable and/or compostable behavior.
Funder
Tecnologico de Monterrey and Southwest Research Institute
Subject
Chemistry (miscellaneous),Analytical Chemistry,Organic Chemistry,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry,Molecular Medicine,Drug Discovery,Pharmaceutical Science
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