Robert M. Kriegel

Pyrene and anthracene dicarboxylic acids as fluorescent brightening comonomers for polyester

Diacids of fused arenes have been prepared for use as covalently bound fluorescent optical brightening agents in condensation polymers. The monomers: dimethyl 1,6-pyrene dicarboxylate, dimethyl 1,8-pyrenedicarboxylate, dimethyl 2,7-pyrenedicarboxylate, 1,8-bis(2-carboxybenzoyl)pyrene dimethyl ester, dimethyl 2,6-anthracenedicarboxylate, dimethyl 2,7-anthracenedicarboxylate and dimethyl 9,10-anthracenedicarboxylate are copolymerized with poly(ethylene terephthalate) and their optical properties are assessed. All of the polymers give blue fluorescence, with the copolymer containing dimethyl 1,6-pyrenedicarboxylate being the brightest.

Integration of decentralized torrefaction with centralized catalytic pyrolysis to produce green aromatics from coffee grounds

The aim of this work was to integrate decentralized torrefaction with centralized catalytic pyrolysis to convert coffee grounds into the green aromatic precursors of terephthalic acid, namely benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). An economic analysis of this bioproduct system was conducted to examine BTEX yields, biomass costs and their sensitivities. Model predictions were verified experimentally using pyrolysis GC/MS to quantify BTEX yields for raw and torrefied biomass. The production cost was minimized when the torrefier temperature and residence time were 239°C and 34min, respectively. This optimization study found conditions that justify torrefaction as a pretreatment for making BTEX, provided that starting feedstock costs are below

Synthesis and Thermal Characterization of Poly(alkylene 2,6‐anthracenedicarboxylate)s

58 per tonne.

SLIME AND POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) FIBERS : AN IMPROVED METHOD

Polycondensation of dimethyl 2,6-anthracenedicarboxylate and aliphatic diols provides poly(alkylene 2,6-anthracenedicarboxylate)s, PxA. The ethylene homologue, P2A, an analog of PET and PEN (two commodity polyesters), is infusible and insoluble. Polymers prepared from other short diols (1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol) are insoluble. Polyesters with at least seven carbons in the flexible structural unit derived from the aliphatic diol are thermoplastic polyesters with higher glass transition and melting temperatures than the corresponding terephthalates and naphthalates. Thermal phase transitions of poly(alkylene arenedicarboxylates): terephthalates, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylates, 2,6-anthracenedicarboxylates.

Chain Mobility, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Poly(ethylene furanoate) Compared to Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Students in a day-long Slime Workshop refine the preparation and demonstrations of this ubiquitous classroom polymer.