Poly(beta-methyl-delta-valerolactone) block polymers
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsMarc A. Hillmyer, Deborah Kay Schneiderman, Frank Steven Bates, Kechun Zhang
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Abstract
Block copolymers include a poly β-methyl-δ-valerolactone (PMVL) block. The PMVL blocks can be formed from biosynthesized β-methyl-δ-valerolactone (MVL). The PMVL block may be formed from biosynthesized β-methyl-δ-valerolactone (MVL) with a 14C/12C ratio greater than zero. The block copolymers can include hard blocks. The block copolymers can be thermoplastic elastomers. The block copolymers may include a polylactic acid (PLA) block.
Claims15
A block copolymer comprising:
- a poly((β-methyl-δ-valerolactone) (PMVL) block, wherein the block copolymer has a 14C/12C ratio greater than zero.
A method of forming a block copolymer, comprising:
- providing a living poly((β-methyl-δ-valerolactone) (PMVL) polymer or a telechelic PMVL block;
- and
- polymerizing one or more monomers from the living PMVL polymer or the telechelic PMVL block,
- wherein polymerizing the one or more monomers produces a polymer block having a glass transition temperature 10° C. or more greater than the glass transition temperature of the PMVL block,
- wherein the living PMVL polymer or the telechelic PMVL block has a 14C/12C ratio greater than zero.
A method of forming a block copolymer, comprising:
- providing a poly((β-methyl-δ-valerolactone) (PMVL) block;
- providing a polymer block having a glass transition temperature 10° C. or more greater than the glass transition temperature of the PMVL block;
- and
- coupling the PMVL block to the polymer block having a glass transition temperature 10° C. or more greater than the glass transition temperature of the PMVL block, wherein providing the PMVL block comprises providing a PMVL block having a 14/12C ratio greater than zero.
A block copolymer comprising:
- a poly((β-methyl-δ-valerolactone) (PMVL) block, further comprising a second block formed from polylactic acid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.