Defence Jingying Chen: " Bio-based and biodegradable superabsorbent polymers based on citric acid and polyols"
| When: | Tu 17-12-2024 09:00 - 10:00 |
| Where: | Aula Academy Building |
Promotors: 1st promotor: Prof. Patrizio Raffa, 2nd promotor: Prof. Cor Koning, 3rd promotor: Prof. Francesco Piccioni
Abstract: Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) exhibit exceptional water retention capabilities, making them valuable across diverse applications, from personal hygiene products to agricultural uses. However, traditional acrylic-based SAPs contribute significantly to environmental pollution due to their poor biodegradability, leading to persistent microplastics in the ecosystem.
This thesis explores the development of novel biodegradable SAPs utilizing citric acid (CA) and bio-based polyalcohols as monomers, aimed at combining high water absorption capacity with enhanced biodegradability. The research investigates the reaction mechanisms of CA with various alcohols through model reactions and simulations, elucidating the esterification processes involved. Three series of CA-based SAPs are synthesized via step-growth polymerization and cross-linking, with varying performance based on different monomers and counterions. The findings indicate that CA/glycerol-based SAPs achieved a maximum absorption capacity of 24 g water/g SAP, demonstrating satisfactory biodegradability. Further modifications with sorbitol and tartaric acid produced SAPs with enhanced properties, achieving absorption capacities up to 32 g water/g SAP. Additionally, the study examines the influence of counterion size on SAP performance, revealing that potassium-neutralized SAPs exhibited the highest water absorption capacity.
Overall, this work presents a novel, eco-friendly approach to producing biodegradable SAPs with promising absorption capabilities, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to traditional non-degradable polymers.