Green Chemistry and Technology

Green Polymerization Methods

The use of polymers is increasingly more common for many applications in modern society; polymer science is able to make diverse contributions to the rapidly growing field of green chemistry. Polymer science offers manifold possibilities for the sustainable use of renewable raw materials. Creating sustainable polymers represents a diverse effort to utilize a broad range of renewable resources such as lignin, triglycerides, polysaccharides, monoterpenes, furans, lactides and natural rubber. Designing polymers and developing polymerization processes that are safe, prevent pollution, and are more efficient in the use of materials and energy is an important topic in modern chemistry. Today, green polymer research can be seen increasingly in academia and industry. It tackles all aspects of polymers and polymerization - everything from chemical feed stocks, synthetic pathways, and reaction media to the nature of the final polymer as related to its inherent nontoxicity or degradability.