Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(furfural acetone) from a Biomass Resource

Abstract

In this study, the furfural was synthesized from sugarcane bagasse as a renewable, sustainable and low cost biomass. Acid hydrolysis method was used for the conversion process of sugarcane bagasse to furfural. Biphasic approach for extraction of the furfural from aqueous medium in a simultaneous manner as it occurs was adopted to eliminate the effect of side reactions. A conversion of 7.1% from dry sugarcane was achieved under applied conditions. IR analysis was used to elucidate the structural characteristics of the produced furfural. The main characteristics absorption peaks of furfural were observed and no other peaks for interferents could be seen.

The furfural was used in the second step to synthesize poly (furfural acetone) via condensation reactions with acetone in alkaline medium. The polymeric product was obtained with 83.2% yield percentage. IR spectroscopy, molecular weight determination, and melt flow index were used to characterize the polymer. IR analysis has shown the successful synthesis of the target polymer. The presence of two absorption peaks for carbonyl group and the acetylenic carbon double bond together with the disappearance of carbon-hydrogen aldehydic absorption peaks were taken as an evidence for the successful synthesis. Molecular weight was determined using vapour pressure osmometry. It was found to be equal to 1244 g/mol which is in agreement with the reported values in the literature. The melt flow index (MFI) was also measured and it was found to be equal to 0.6g/10min at 190 ˚C and 2.16 Kg.