Polyesters

We are interested in development of new sustainable polyesters. Polylactide (PLA) is a representative thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources. It had been the second highest consumption volume of bioplastic of the world thanks to its bio-compatibility and degradability. Monomer is typically prepared by fermentation of plants such as starch or corn, however the production of lactic acid has already reached its highest level. The application of PLA is also very limited due to its intrinsically weak physical and mechanical properties. Therefore, there is a strong need for an alternative monomer or alternative synthetic route to produce lactide-like monomers to address current challenges we are facing. Our ultimate goal is to advance an engineering design cycle that will enable rapid exploration of new biomass-derived monomers and investigation of relevant properties of sustainable polymeric materials that are prepared from the new monomers.