Turning cellulose to green plasticizer through highly effective chemo-tunable microwave assisted reaction

Research Leader

Prof. Minna Hakkarainen

Project information

Sustainable production of fuels, chemicals and materials is one of the most strategically important research fields at the moment. Lignocellulosic biomasses are among the most important renewable resources for production of bio-based platform chemicals and materials. The overall goal of the project is to utilize forest based resources for production of value added green polymer additives. During the project the whole chain starting from an effective chemo-selective cellulose liquefaction process based on microwave technology to green synthesis of ester plasticizers from liquefaction products and finally the evaluation of the synthesized esters as biobased and sustainable polymer plasticizers will be demonstrated. Previously, we have shown that microwave assisted reaction leads to rapid and near quantitative liquefaction of cellulose. The liquefaction products could be tuned from almost pure glucose to mixtures of levulinic and formic acid. During this project these products will be further utilized for production of biobased plasticizers through green microwave assisted synthesis. The plasticizer efficiency and migration resistance will be evaluated in PVC, PLA and starch blends. These plasticizers could offer an attractive sustainable alternative to oil-based plasticizers such as phthalates that are among the most ubiquitous environmental contaminants. The project is financed by Formas.