Synthezyme LLC

A series of poly(ω-hydroxyl tetradecanoic acid)s, P(ω-OHC14)s, were synthesized using titanium tetraisopropoxide (Ti[OiPr]₄) as a catalyst from Me w-hydroxytetradecanoic acid (ω-OHC14), a new monomer available by a fermentation process using an engineered Candida tropicalis strain.Physico-mech. properties of these new bioplastics with M_w ranging from 53K to 140K were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry anal., dynamic mech. thermal anal., thermomech. anal., rheol. and tensile testing.Influences of P(ω-OHC14) mol. weight, m.p., and enthalpies of melting/crystallization on material properties were explored and comparisons between HDPE and P(ω-OHC14) in mech., rheol., and thermal properties were discussed.

This work describes a new series of PLA blends that extend PLA′s physico-mech. properties for use in both rigid and flexible applications.These blends were enabled by SyntheZyme LLC′s development of poly(w-hydroxyfatty acids), P(w-HOFAs) using an engineered yeast strain for monomer synthesis.In one example, P(ω-HOC14) was prepared from the corresponding C14 w-HOFA via standard chem. condensation methods.Reactive blending of P(ω-HOC14) with PLA was performed at 220°C using Ti(t-BuO)₄ as catalyst.Blends with P(ω-OHC14) compositions ranging from 0 to 25 wt% were preparedThe effects of reaction parameters on blend physic-mech. properties were determinedSignificant toughening was observed at only 5% P(ω-HOC14), giving %-elongation at break of 230% as compared to 6% for pure PLA.Investigations of blend morphol. were conducted by SEM and TEM.Rheol. studies were performed to gain insight into the toughening mechanism.

This work describes a new series of PLA blends that extend PLA's physico-mech. properties for use in both rigid and flexible applications.These blends were enabled by SyntheZyme LLC's development of poly(w-hydroxyfatty acids), P(w-HOFAs) using an engineered yeast strain for monomer synthesis.In one example, P(ω-HOC14) was prepared from the corresponding C14 w-HOFA via standard chem. condensation methods.Reactive blending of P(ω-HOC14) with PLA was performed at 220° C using Ti(t-BuO)4 as catalyst.Blends with P(ω-HOC14) compositions ranging from 0 to 25 wt% were preparedThe effects of reaction parameters on blend physic-mech. properties were determined Significant toughening was observed at only 5% P(ω-HOC14), giving %-elongation at break of 230% as compared to 6% for pure PLA.Investigations of blend morphol. were conducted by SEM and TEM. Rheol. studies were performed to gain insight into the toughening mechanism.