The project aims to synthesize and characterize novel thermoplastic elastomers derived from renewable raw materials, with properties similar to SBS rubber. The materials under development are ABA triblock copolymers, where A is a “rigid” block and B is a flexible block. These copolymers are based on bio-derived, biodegradable aliphatic polyesters:
These ABA copolymers will be synthesized through ring-opening polymerization (ROP), allowing precise control over block structure, composition, and length to tailor thermal, mechanical, and degradation properties.
The footwear industry currently uses styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubber for shoe soles. SBS is a thermoplastic elastomer made up of two polystyrene “rigid” blocks and a central amorphous polybutadiene “flexible” block. Its structure creates physical cross-links that can be removed by heating—unlike chemically cross-linked rubbers.
However, SBS is derived from fossil sources and is non-biodegradable. As such, the project explores biodegradable, recyclable thermoplastic elastomers made from renewable feedstocks, aligned with circular economy goals.
Beneficiari
The main objective is to develop ABA triblock thermoplastic elastomers composed of bio-based, biodegradable aliphatic polyesters, ideal for a sustainable polymer industry. These materials are:
A key polymer in this class is PLA (Poly(lactic acid)), currently produced at over 400,000 tons/year via ROP of lactide, a dimer from biomass fermentation. PLA is a semi-crystalline polymer with a melting temperature (Tm) of ~170 °C and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of ~65 °C, showing properties comparable to polystyrene.
In the ABA structure:
Specifically, polymers from δ-hexalactone and its copolymers with ξ-caprolactone have already been prepared. Poly(δ-hexalactone) has a Tg < –60 °C and can be quantitatively depolymerized under mild conditions, making it particularly suitable for circular production processes.
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Project n.: PE_00000004
MADE IN ITALY CIRCOLARE E SOSTENIBILE
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