Production of stable polyesters by microwave heating of carboxylic acid:polyol blends
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorsBrent Tisserat, Ronald A. Holser, Rogers E. Harry-O'Kuru
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Abstract
Environmentally-friendly, biodegradable polyol:carboxylic acid polyester solid-phase products may be produced utilizing microwave heating. In this process, a di- or tricarboxylic acid is reacted with a polyol such as a glycerol or a sugar alcohol, or an ester thereof with the application of heating by microwave energy. Sufficient microwave heating is provided to esterify the polyol with the carboxylic acids, while removing as steam the water by-product which is generated during the reaction. The polyesters so-produced are resistant to high temperatures and solvents, and may by cured and/or molded.
Claims23
A method for making polyesters comprising mixing and reacting a tricarboxylic acid with glycerol or an ester thereof, with application of heating by microwave energy effective to produce a glycerol:carboxylic acid polyester while removing water by-product generated during the reaction as steam, and wherein said glycerol:carboxylic acid polyester formed by the reaction comprises a solid phase foam.
A method for making polyesters comprising mixing and reacting a di- or tricarboxylic acid with a glycerol ester comprising epoxidized oil, with application of heating by microwave energy effective to produce a glycerol:carboxylic acid polyester while removing water by-product generated during the reaction as steam.
A composition comprising a solid-phase foam comprising a glycerol:carboxylic acid polyester.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.