Designing polymers and developing polymerization processes that are safe, prevent pollution, and are more efficient in the use of materials and engergy is an important topic in modern chemistry. Today, green polymer research can be seen increasingly in academia nd industry. It tackles all aspects of polymers and polymerization - everything from chemical feedstocks, synthetic pathways, and reaction media to the nature of the final polymer as related to its inherent nontoxicity or degradability. This book summarizes and evaluates the latest developments in green polymerization methods. Specifically, new catalytic methods and processes which incorporate renewable resources will be discussed by leading experts in the field of polymer chemistry. This book is a must-have for Polymer Chemists, Chemists Working with/on Organometallics, Biochemists, Physical Chemists, Chemical Engineers, Biotechnologists, Materials Scientists, and Catalytic Chemists.

Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green polymer chemistry is an extension of green chemistry to polymer science and engineering. Developments in this area have been stimulated by health and environmental concerns, interest in sustainability, desire to decrease the dependence on petroleum, and opportunities to design and produce "green" products and processes. Major advances include new uses of biobased feedstock, green reactions, green processing methodologies, and green polymeric products. A current feature of green polymer chemistry is that it is both global and multidisciplinary. Thus, publications in this field are spread out over different journals in different countries. Moreover, a successful research effort may involve collaborations of people in various disciplines, such as organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, material science, chemical engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, enzymology, toxicology, environmental science, and analytical chemistry. This book combines the major interdisciplinary research in this field and is targeted for scientists, engineers, and students, who are involved or interested in green polymer chemistry. These may include chemists, biochemists, material scientists, chemical engineers, microbiologists, molecular biologists, enzymologists, toxicologists, environmental scientists, and analytical chemists. It can be a textbook for a course on green chemistry and also a reference book for people who need information on specific topics involving biocatalysis and biobased materials.

Polymers are huge macromolecules composed of repeating structural units. While polymer in popular usage suggests plastic, the term actually refers to a large class of natural and synthetic materials. Due to the extraordinary range of properties accessible, polymers have come to play an essential and ubiquitous role in everyday life - from plastics and elastomers on the one hand to natural biopolymers such as DNA and proteins on the other hand. The study of polymer science begins with understanding the methods in which these materials are synthesized. Polymer synthesis is a complex procedure and can take place in a variety of ways. This book brings together the "Who is who" of polymer science to give the readers an overview of the large field of polymer synthesis. It is a one-stop reference and a must-have for all Chemists, Polymer Chemists, Chemists in Industry, and Materials Scientists.

Polymer science faces the challenge of meeting growing market demand for polymers whilst achieving sustainability through environmentally friendly processes. Microwave heating has emerged as a greener technique that accelerates a variety of chemical reactions, including polymerization. Microwave-assisted reactions can be cleaner and more rapid and economic analyses suggest that the cost of curing polymers may be reduced by switching over to the use of microwaves. This book provides comprehensive coverage of microwave-assisted polymerization. The first chapter introduces readers to the theory behind the accelerating effects of microwaves on chemical reactions and covers the types of commercial microwave reactors being used for synthesis and processing of polymers that are available on the market. Subsequent chapters are organised by type of reaction, including radical homo and co-polymerizations, step growth polymerization and peptide synthesis. Importantly, analysis of processes and product properties in comparison with conventional methods is also detailed. This book will be a valuable resource for green chemists and polymer scientists and engineers who want to develop sustainable processes.

Green polymer chemistry is now a global pursuit and comprises diverse disciplines, such as organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, material science, microbiology, molecular biology, catalysis, enzymology, environmental science, analytical chemistry, and chemical engineering. This field is equally active in the United States as well as Europe and Asia. Researchers, students, and people new to this field value a forum to meet and share ideas; this can take the form of a symposium dedicated to this field, or a special book that features the latest work done by leading practitioners. "Green Polymer Chemistry: Biobased Materials and Biocatalysis" is a symposium series put on by the American Chemical Society that has been very successful and serves to bring together a community of scientists with different backgrounds but with common research interests. In the August 2017 symposium in Washington, D.C., there were a total of 84 presentations and 16 posters (one of the largest symposia in the meeting). The symposium was structured into 10 sessions: -Bio-Based Materials: Industrial Perspectives -Developments in Biocatalysts -Green Biocatalytic Transformations -Chemical Catalytic Routes to Bio-Based Materials -New Reaction Strategies and Materials -Polysaccharide-Based Materials -Plant Oils and Ferulate-Based Materials -Bio-Based Thermosetting Resins -Therapeutics and Opto-Electronics -Further Applications of Bio-Based Materials Many of the leading researchers in this field accepted the invitation to speak, and they reported exciting findings in various areas, including new bio-based source materials, green conversion methods, new or improved processing methodologies, and green polymer-related products. For convenience, this book is organized into seven sections: novel bioengineered approaches; new enzymatic methodologies; new materials based on polysaccharides; bio-related polyesters, polyamides, and polyurethanes; bio-based phenolics and composites; bio-based monomers and resulting products; and bio-based solvents and additives.

Scientists are conducting active research in different fields of engineering, science and technology by adopting the Green Chemistry Principles and methodologies to devise new processes, with a view to help protect and ultimately save the environment from further anthropogenic interruptions and damage. With this in mind, the book provides an up-to-date, coherently written and objectively presented set of chapters from eminent international researchers who are actively involved in academic and technological research in the synthesis, (bio)degradation, testing and applications of biodegradable polymers and biopolymers. This pool of the latest ideas, recent research and technological progress, together with a high level of thinking with a comprehensive perspective, makes the emerging field of biodegradable polymer science and engineering (or bio-based polymers) linked to environmental sustainability, the essence of this key publication. The handbook consists of chapters written and contributed by international experts from academia who are world leaders in research and technology in sustainability and biopolymer and biodegradable polymer synthesis, characterisation, testing and use. The book highlights the following areas: green polymers; biopolymers and bionanocomposites; biodegradable and injectable polymers; biodegradable polyesters; synthesis and physical properties; discovery and characterization of biopolymers; degradable bioelastomers, lactic acid based biodegradable polymers; enzymatic degradation of biodegradable polymers; biodegradation of polymers in the composting environment; recent development in biodegradable polymers; research and applications and biodegradable foams. The book is aimed at technical, research-orientated and marketing people in industry, universities and institutions. It will also be of value to the worldwide public interested in sustainability issues and biopolymer development as well as others interested in the practical means that are being used to reduce the environmental impacts of chemical processes and products, to further eco-efficiency, and to advance the utilization of renewable resources for a bio-based production and supplier chain. Readers will gain a comprehensive and consolidated overview of the immense potential and ongoing research in bio-based and biodegradable polymer science, engineering and technology to make the world greener.