Synthesis and characterization of thermoplastic resin from sugar beet polysaccharides via one-step transesterification.

Lignocellulosic biomass-based plastics provide a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics by converting agricultural by-products into value-added materials, promoting a circular economy. This study investigates the development of thermoplastics from sugar beet pulp (SBP), a by-product rich in cellulose and pectin. A one-pot direct transesterification process was used to fully substitute hydroxy groups in SBP with acyl chains of varying lengths (C2-C10), achieving up to 96 % substitution.

Low waste process of rapid cellulose transesterification using ionic liquid/DMSO mixed solvent: Towards more sustainable reaction systems.

The recent progress in the manufacturing of new functional cellulose-derived materials shows that the renewable side of these materials does not ensure sustainable development. In contrast, reaction/process design and waste minimization play a key role here. Herein, reactive extrusion was used as a fast method for cellulose transesterification with vinyl laurate in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EmimOAc)/DMSO system.

Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers: Utilizing Lignin to Engineer Potentially Sustainable Resource-Based Biocomposites.

Carbon fiber reinforced composites have exceptional potential to play a key role in the materials world of our future. However, their success undoubtedly depends on the extent they can contribute to advance a global sustainability objective. Utilizing polymers in these composites that can be potentially derived from biomasses would be certainly vital for next-generation manufacturing practices.

Chemical Modification of Plasticized Lignins Using Reactive Extrusion.

The reaction of esterification of plasticized Kraft lignin (KL) with succinic and maleic anhydrides using reactive extrusion (REX) was studied in detail. DMSO, glycol and glycerol were found to be efficient plasticizers for lignin. The chemical structure of these new lignin esters was determined using Solid-state C CP-MAS NMR and FT-IR analysis.

Starch carboxymethylation by reactive extrusion: Reaction kinetics and structure analysis.

An efficient reaction of carboxymethylation using reactive extrusion (REX) on plasticized starch was studied. The reaction products were characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Several parameters affecting the reaction were investigated including the amount of plasticizer, reagent stoichiometry and reaction time.