Atom-Economical, One-Pot, Self-Initiated Photopolymerization of Lactose Methacrylate for Biobased Hydrogels
Publication Date
3-23-2020
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering
Volume
8
Issue
11
DOI
10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c00482
First Page
4606
Last Page
4613
Abstract
An excess of lactose and lactose-rich milk permeate is produced by the dairy industry. The use of these waste products has been investigated for the preparation of sugar-based hydrogels. An environmentally friendly, atom-economical reaction conducted in water with minimal waste was successfully applied in the synthesis of lactose methacrylate. Lactose methacrylate was copolymerized with the methacrylic acid generated as a byproduct of the initial synthesis using photoinduced polymerization to yield hydrogels. The photopolymerization was facilitated by low-intensity UV light (365 nm) without the need for an exogenous photoinitiator. Hydrogels with varied water uptake, rheological, and mechanical properties could be prepared by the use of different methacrylic anhydride loadings in the synthesis of lactose methacrylate.
Funding Number
1901635
Funding Sponsor
National Science Foundation
Keywords
dairy waste, gelation, hydrogel, lactose, methacrylic anhydride, milk permeate
Department
Chemistry
Recommended Citation
Larissa R. Fonseca, Philip T. Dirlam, and Marc A. Hillmyer. "Atom-Economical, One-Pot, Self-Initiated Photopolymerization of Lactose Methacrylate for Biobased Hydrogels" ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering (2020): 4606-4613. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c00482
