Plastic from plants: synthesis and evaluation of new polymers from sustainable bio-based sources
Publication Date
July 27, 2026
Creator
Ruan, Chenluwei
Abstract
Conventional plastics impose a significant burden on the natural environment due to their non-biodegradability and reliance on fossil resources. Therefore, the use of renewable energy sources for synthesising polymers is gaining increasing attention. This thesis details the synthesis of six novel monomers derived from the renewable biological source α-pinene. Multiple synthetic routes were systematically explored during the ring-opening step to generate key intermediates, enabling the synthesis of diol monomers bearing diverse functional groups.
Chapter 2 outlines the derivatization of α-pinene to access terpenoid-based monomers, resulting in compounds including diols, diallyl esters, and bifunctional monomers containing both acrylate and hydroxyl groups.
Chapter 3 begins with an evaluation of catalysts for subsequent polycondensation reactions, establishing Ti(OBu)₄ as the most suitable catalyst for diol monomers derived from α‑pinene. Subsequently, various polymerization strategies were applied to the synthesized monomers. Polycondensation of different diol monomers afforded a series of novel polyesters, while step-growth polymerization yielded polyurethane prepolymers. Radical polymerization of the diacrylate monomer was attempted to form cross-linked polyacrylates; however, as the reaction did not proceed to the gel point, only linear polyacrylate was obtained.
Item Type
ethesis
Thesis Type
MRes
Supervisors
Subjects (LC)
Associated Schools / Departments
UoN Repository URI
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Ruan, Chenluwei, 20665372, first - Corrections 1 (1) (1).pdf
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