The high structural anisotropy and colloidal stability of cellulose nanofibrils' enable the creation of self-standing fibrillar hydrogel networks at very low solid contents. Adding methacrylate moieties on the surface of TEMPO oxidized CNFs allows the formation of more robust covalently crosslinked networks by free radical polymerization of acrylic monomers, exploiting the mechanical properties of these networks more efficiently. This technique yields strong and elastic networks but with an undefined network structure. In this work, we use acrylate-capped telechelic polymers derived from the step-growth polymerization of PEG diacrylate and dithiothreitol to crosslink methacrylated TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (MATO CNF). This combination resulted in flexible and strong hydrogels, as observed through rheological studies, compression and tensile loading. The structure and mechanical properties of these hydrogel networks were found to depend on the dimensions of the CNFs and polymer crosslinkers. The structure of the networks and the role of individual components were evaluated with SAXS (Small-Angle X-ray Scattering) and photo-rheology. A thorough understanding of hybrid CNF/polymer networks and how to best exploit the capacity of these networks enable further advancement of cellulose-based materials for applications in packaging, soft robotics, and biomedical engineering.

To address the increasing demand for biobased materials, lignin-derived ferulic acid (FA) is a promising candidate. In this study, an FA-derived styrene-like monomer, referred to as 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (MVP), was used as the platform to prepare functional monomers for radical polymerizations. Hydrophobic biobased monomers derived from MVP were polymerized via solution and emulsion polymerization resulting in homo- and copolymers with a wide range of thermal properties, thus showcasing their potential in thermoplastic applications. Moreover, divinylbenzene (DVB)-like monomers were prepared from MVP by varying the aliphatic chain length between the MVP units. These biobased monomers were thermally crosslinked with thiol-bearing reagents to produce thermosets with different crosslinking densities in order to demonstrate their thermosetting applications. The results of this study expand the scope of MVP-derived monomers that can be used in free-radical polymerizations toward the preparation of new biobased and functional materials from lignin.

The thermodynamic equilibrium between ring-opening polymerization and ring-closing depolymerization is influenced by monomer-solvent-polymer interactions, an effect that can be utilized to promote chemical recycling to monomer. Here, the influence of monomer structure on this solvent effect has been investigated, showing that the chemical structure of the monomer influences the power of the solvent to supress the ceiling temperature. The study also demonstrates how catalyst selectivity can be utilized to obtain selective ring-closing depolymerization of one component of a polymer blend, even when the thermodynamics dictate otherwise.

A combined experimental and theoretical investigation revealed mechanistic differences in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) behavior of macrocyclic carbonates (MCs, 11-membered to 15-membered MCs). The study employs urea and potassium methoxide as the catalytic system for ROP. Besides the polymerization rate correlating with the ring size, where smaller rings have a faster polymerization rate, both the thermodynamic stability of the conformer and the stability of the transition state affect the polymerization rate. An experimental kinetic evaluation revealed a deviation between the polymerization rate of the 11-membered MC and the rest of the MCs. Computational investigation using density functional theory showed that the thermodynamic stability of the 11-membered MC differs from others, with a population distribution more toward the usually less energetically disfavored (E,Z)conformer, while the larger rings showed a preference for the Z,Z-conformation. In the transition state, the (E,Z)-conformer was found to be lower in energy compared to the (Z,Z)-conformation, which leads to a lower Gibbs free energy of activation for nucleophilic attack on the (E,Z)-conformation (Delta G(+/-) = 18.3 kcal center dot mol(-1)) compared to macrocycles with the more stable (Z,Z)-conformation (19.8 kcal center dot mol(-1)). The rate-determining step for the 11-membered MC with (E,Z)-conformation relates to the nucleophilic addition, while the rate-limiting step for the larger 15-membered MC corresponds to the ring-opening step. Linking the thermodynamic conformer stability of cyclic monomers to their inherent polymerization behavior is essential for the future design of selective catalysts for ROP.

Chemical recycling to monomers (CRMs) of A-B-Ablockcopolymers is governed by the chemical structure and thereby the thermodynamicbehavior of different block constituents. Here, we show how a thermodynamictoolkit based on a cyclic monomer structure and solvent propertiescan be utilized in the design of recyclable A-B-A blockcopolymers with varying material properties. By combining four cyclicmonomers lactide, epsilon-decalactone, 2,2-diethyltrimethylene carbonate,and trimethylene carbonate, three different block copolymers werecreated, suitable for different CRM scenarios. The chemical structureof the soft midblock (epsilon-decalactone or trimethylene carbonate)appeared to have a critical impact both on the ring-closing depolymerizationbehavior and mechanical properties, where changing from a polyesterto a polycarbonate soft block increased Young's modulus from14 to 200 MPa. Hence, this work demonstrates the complexity as wellas the opportunities in the design of macromolecular structures fora circular economy.

Selective, active, stable, and general catalysts for the controlled ring-opening polymerization of (macro)lactones are central in our pursuit of a more benign material economy. Within, we explore the formation of an activated lactone initiator (ALI) based on ZnEt2-1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as an air-stable and selective initiator/catalyst, yielding linear polymers with one ß-keto ester and one alcohol end-group. Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) with high activity and control was found for unsubstituted (macro)lactones (ω-pentadecalactone (PDL), hexadecanolide (HDL), δ-valerolactone (δVL), and ε-caprolactone (εCL)) and cyclic carbonate trimethylene carbonate (TMC). A particular focus was placed on studying the ALI for the polymerization of strainless PDL and strained εCL. In contrast, ALI-ROP could not polymerize lactones containing substituents on the terminal carbon, indicative of the coordination insertion features of the polymerization. This work explores selective catalysts with high control, fast kinetics, and superb air stability towards the next generation of greener materials.

Zwitterionic Lewis pair (LP) catalysis is potent towards the polymerization of lactone monomers to form cyclic polymers. In pursuit of faster polymerization kinetics, the use of weaker Lewis acids, such as diethylzinc (ZnEt2), has hitherto been suggested. However, the strong Brønsted base character of ZnEt2 brings the question of the actual initiation mechanism. Here, the ZnEt2-1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) LP was studied as catalyst for the initiation and polymerization reactions of ω-pentadecalactone (PDL), ϵ-caprolactone, δ-valerolactone, and γ-butyrolactone. Collective MALDI-ToF MS, NMR, FT-IR, and Ubbelhode viscometry studies revealed a polymerization mechanism proceeding through deprotonation of the α-protons on the lactone and not zwitterionic ring-opening, yielding an anionic propagation mechanism and linear polymers. The polymerization kinetics display an initiation period that correlates to ethyl decomposition on ZnEt2 and the initiation period is shortened by increasing the reaction temperature, Lewis base equivalents, and the lactones, e.g. ϵ-caprolactone, δ-valerolactone, and γ-butyrolactone in the system.

In this work, we investigate a multicomponent synthetic method for combining saccharides with cellulose to produce saccharide branched cellulose (b-Cel). First, cellulose is modified conventionally using carboxymethyl to create carboxyl functional groups for multicomponent reactions. The Passerini three-component reaction (Passerini-3CR) is then used to synthesize the saccharide b-Cel, with particular attention paid to the scope of the substrate and reaction process optimization. The structure of saccharide b-Cel is regulated by modifying the carboxyl group of cellulose molecules, the kind of saccharide molecules (including glucose, galactose, lactose, cellobiose, and cellulose), and the degree of branching. The branched structure of saccharide b-Cel greatly influenced its rheological characteristics and solubility. This work presents a practical method for the synthesis of artificial branching polysaccharides and is crucial for the development of innovative materials based on biomass.

Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) materials are candidates for the sustainable development of high mechanical performance nanomaterials. Due to inherent hydrophilicity and limited functionality range, most applications require chemical modification of CNF. However, targeted transformations directly on CNF are cumbersome due to the propensity of CNF to aggregate in non-aqueous solvents at high concentrations, complicating the choice of suitable reagents and requiring tedious separations of the final product. This work addresses this challenge by developing a general, entirely water-based, and experimentally simple methodology for functionalizing CNF, providing aliphatic, allylic, propargylic, azobenzylic, and substituted benzylic functional groups. The first step is NaIO4 oxidation to dialdehyde-CNF in the wet cake state, followed by oxime ligation with O-substituted hydroxylamines. The increased hydrolytic stability of oximes removes the need for reductive stabilization as often required for the analogous imines where aldehyde groups react with amines in water. Overall, the process provides a tailored degree of nanofibril functionalization (2-4.5 mmol/g) with the possible reversible detachment of the functionality under mildly acidic conditions, resulting in the reformation of dialdehyde CNF. The modified CNF materials were assessed for potential applications in green electronics and triboelectric nanogenerators. Water is a standing challenge in the chemical modification of cellulose nanofibrils. Here, authors employ oxime-ligation to solve this by direct covalent chemistry on dialdehyde-CNF in water and assess the material for potential applications in green electronics and triboelectric nanogenerators.

Design of nanocellulose-based composite materials suitable for selective disintegration, recovery and recycling of individual components is of great scientific and technical interest. Cellulose nanofiber/epoxy (CNF/EP) composites are candidate bio-based substitutes for petroleum-based materials. However, chemical recovery of such intimately mixed nanocomposites has not been addressed, due to the limited chemical stability of nanocellulose and due to the covalently crosslinked epoxy network. In this work we develop CNF/EP composites designed for selective disintegration. Deconstruction is achieved by including two types of labile linkages to the polymer network; acetals and esters. Besides enabling recycling of the CNF reinforcement, the thermoset constituents were further depolymerized into valuable monomeric units in 63-95% yield. In addition, the preparation of both; epoxy monomers and final composite materials is performed using solely bio-derived materials and solvents.