Biopolymers

Introduction

The importance, classification, general characteristics, most significant application areas and economic importance of biopolymers. Research trends in Hungary and abroad. The basics of carbohydrate chemistry.

(2 classes)

2.       Polysaccharides (plant based) I-II.

The cellulose macromolecule, its chemical structure, intra- and intermolecular interactions, fibrillar structure, crystallinity, accessibility. The most significant cellulose sources.

The structure and chemistry of wood. Cellulose production. Cellulose derivatives (cellulose esters, cellulose ethers). The chemical and biological degradation of cellulose. Hemicelluloses. Pectins.

(4 classes)

3.       Polysaccharides (plant based) III.

Starch. The chemical structure, characteristics and chemical reactions of starch. Starch sources. Starch derivatives. The most significant application areas. Starch based blends.

(2 classes)

4.       Polysaccharides (animal based)

Chitin. Chemical structure, availability, isolation. Physical and chemical characteristics, application areas (agriculture, industry, medicine)

Chitosan. Chemical structure, synthesis. Physical and chemical characteristics, application areas (agriculture, industry, horticulture, medicine).

(2 classes)

5.      Polyphenols

Lignins. The availability, biosynthesis and classification of lignins. The isolation, structure and reactions of lignins. The biodegradation of lignins. The characteristics of the lignin-holocellulose system, the chemistry of delignification.

The chemical structure and availability of tannins. Hydrolysable and condensed tannins. The interactions of tannins with macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, polysaccharides, enzymes).

(2 classes)

6.       Proteins (Polyamides)

The primary, secondary and tertiary structure of proteins. Animal and plant based proteins. Wool keratin. The morphology, chemical and physical characteristics of wool. Silk fibroin. Regenerated protein fibers. New application areas. Collagens and gelatins. Enzymes.

(2 classes)

7.       Polyesters (synthetic) I-II

The importance and chemical structure of linear polyesters. The most significant linear polyesters (poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic acid), polycaprolactone), isomers, crystallization; the synthesis of poly(lactic acid), its physical ageing and macroscopic properties. The lectures mainly discuss the general characteristics of linear polyesters through the example of poly(lactic acid).

(4 classes)

8.       Polyesters (microbial)

The chemical structure, synthesis (fermentation, bioreactors) and characteristics of microbial polyesters (polyhydroxyalkanoates); the role of crystallinity and its modification; the most significant polyhydroxyalkanoates (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), poly(3-hydroxyvalerate), poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate)) and their copolymers.

(2 classes)

9.       Polyols, polyurethanes

Synthetic biodegradable polyols from natural sources (plant oils, carbohydrates, lignin), their chemical structure, reactions and industrial significance; the synthesis of polyurethanes based on the reaction of conventional isocyanates and natural based polyols.

(2 classes)

10.     The processing and application of biopolymers I-II.

Specific characteristics of the processing of biopolymers. The most significant application areas of biopolymers. Biopolymer based blends and composites.

(4 classes)