Polymerization of poly(itaconic acid)

POLY 490

Ming Cao, myj3@unh.edu, Nanostructured Polymers Research Center, University of New Hampshire, 145 Parsons Hall, Durham, NH 03824 and Yvon G. Durant, yvon.durant@unh.edu, Nanostructured Polymer Research Center, University of New Hampshire, G101 Parsons Hall, Durham, NH 03824.
Itaconic acid (IA) can be obtained from fermentation of carbohydrates. This makes IA a renewable material, derived from natural sources, such as corn or wood. Our interest lies in generating polyitaconic acid materials with large market application. Homopolymers of itaconic acid were synthesized using redox system, and potassium persulphate, 2,2'-azodiisobytyronitrile(AIBN) at PH 2. The chain structures of the products were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and elemental analysis. Thermomechanical properties were characterized by Thermogravimetry and Differential Scanning Calorimeter(DSC). Polymerization yields can reach 100% by using concentrated redox system. Based on DSC, PIA melts around 140°C.
 

Polymers from Renewable Resources
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007