Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising bio-compostable and biodegradable thermoplastic made from renewable sources. PLA, is typically obtained by polymerising lactide monomer. The technique mainly used for ring opening polymerization (ROP) of Lactide is based on metallic/bimetallic catalyst (Sn, Zn, and Al) or other organic catalysts in suitable solvent. However, the PLA synthesized using such catalysts may contain trace elements of the catalyst, which may be toxic. In this work, reactive extrusion experiments using stannous octoate Sn(Oct)2 and tri-phenyl phosphine (PPh)3 were considered to perform ROP of lactide monomer using ultrasound as an alternative energy (AE) source for activating and/or boosting the polymerization. Mathematical model of ROP of lactide, was developed to estimate the impact of reaction kinetics and AE source on the polymerization process. Ludovic® software, a commercial code was used. It was adopted for the simulation of continuous reactive extrusion of PLA. Results from experiments and simulations were compared to validate the simulation methodology. Results indicate that the application of AE source in reaction process boost the PLA formation rate. Result obtained through Ludovic simulation and experiments were validated. It was shown that there is a case for reducing the residence time distribution (RTD) in Ludovic due to the ‘liquid’ monomer flow in the extruder. This change in the parameters resulted in validation of the simulation. However, it was concluded that the assumption would have to be established by doing further validations. The simulation model includes the details of kinetics of reactions involved with in the process and helps to upscale the reaction output. This work also estimates the usefulness and drawbacks of using different catalysts as well as effect of alternative energies and future aspects for PLA production.

O amido termoplástico (TPS) é um material biodegradável, de baixo custo, com grande potencial para aplicação na composição de plásticos biodegradáveis. Muitos estudos têm sido realizados no sentido de melhorar algumas de suas propriedades, principalmente a sua baixa resistência mecânica, elevada hidrofilicidade, e baixa miscibilidade com polímeros comerciais, fatores que dificultam a ampliação da utilização desse material como plástico biodegradável. Uma alternativa para melhorar tais propriedades, é a produção de blendas destes materiais com outros polímeros. Contudo, quando a natureza química dos materiais a serem combinados é muito diversa, faz-se necessário compatibilizar os materiais, em geral obtida pela adição de agentes compatibilizantes ou promovendo reações durante a extrusão, processo denominado compatibilização reativa. No trabalho, diferentes alternativas foram investigadas com o intuito de aumentar o potencial de aplicação do amido, entre elas: o efeito do ácido cítrico na modificação do amido; o uso da ureia para estabilização da massa molar do amido via extrusão reativa permitindo seu reprocessamento; a modificação do amido com ácido cítrico e ou 4,4\'-difenil metano diisocianato e o uso de dois processos de extrusão reativa para produção do amido termoplástico; a produção de blendas de amido com poli(butileno adpato co-tereftalato) e poli(ácido lático); a produção do amido termoplástico com reticulação termorreversível pela incorporação de reações de Diels-Alder. Foram feitas diversas caracterizações entre elas, análise das propriedades térmicas por meio das técnicas de termogravimetria (TGA), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), análise dinâmicomecânica (DMA) ensaios mecânicos, absorção de umidade, espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), análises reológicas, cromatografia (HPSEC) e viscosimetria. Os resultados das investigações contribuíram para o desenvolvimento de novos polímeros termoplásticos ou termorrígidos a base de amido de milho e esclareceram questões não abordadas na literatura, sobre a modificação do amido via processo de extrusão reativa. / Thermoplastic starch (TPS) is a biodegradable material, inexpensive, with high potential of usage in the biodegradable plastics composition. Many studies have been performed to improve some properties, mainly its low mechanical strength, high hydrophilicity and low miscibility with commercial polymers, factors that hinder the usage expansion such material as plastic. An alternative to improve these properties is the polymer blends of starch production with other polymers. However, when the materials chemical nature is quite variable then is necessary to make the polymers compatible. Usually, the reactive compatibility is obtained by the addition of coupling agents or promoting reactions during extrusion. In the present study, new alternatives were studied in order to increase the starch application potential including: the citric acid effect on starch modification; use of urea to stabilize the starch molecular weight by reactive extrusion allowing its reprocessing; the starch modification with citric acid and 4,4\'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate and the use of two reactive extrusion processes for thermoplastic starch producing; starch blends production with poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) and poly (lactic acid); the starch modification by incorporating crosslinking thermoreversible Diels-Alder adduct. Several characterizations were made including thermal analysis by means of thermogravimetry (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) mechanical testing, moisture absorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rheology analysis, chromatography (HPSEC) and viscometry. The research results have contributed to the development of new thermoplastic polymers or thermosetting from corn starch and helped to clarify issues not addressed in the literature about the starch modification by reactive extrusion process.

Neste trabalho, foram sintetizados poliuretanos termoplásticos (TPU) via solução em reator e via extrusão reativa em extrusora dupla rosca. Os TPUs foram obtidos com o uso de pré-polímero 4,4‟-difenilmetano (MDI) e poliol poliéster, a hidroquinona bis-2-(hidróxietil)-éter (HQEE), e o n-fenilaminopropil-POSS. Os reagentes e produtos foram caracterizados através de análises de Espectroscopia no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Calorimetria Diferencial de Varredura (DSC), análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e reometria capilar (exclusivamente para os produtos). As análises de DSC mostraram que a presença do POSS influenciou a entalpia de fusão (ΔHm) dos TPUs sintetizados via solução. As amostras polimerizadas por extrusão reativa a 80 ºC apresentam Tm comparativamente menores que as amostras sintetizadas a 90 ºC, porém com ΔHm superior, indicando que a temperatura possivelmente favorece a formação de um número maior de cristais com um tamanho médio inferior. Também foram observados fenômenos exotérmicos durante o aquecimento das amostras sintetizadas via extrusão reativa, provavelmente devido a disponibilidade de grupos isocianato livres, detectados via FTIR, na região de ~2253 cm-1. A estabilidade térmica dos TPUs via solução também foi alterada pela adição de POSS, enquanto o polímero obtido através da extrusão reativa apresentou valores mais elevados no início da degradação. Os ensaios de TGA em isoterma apresentaram valores de perda de massa progressivamente inferiores nas amostras sintetizadas via extrusão reativa, demonstrando que tanto o POSS quanto a temperatura de síntese influem nas propriedades do polímero. Ensaios de resistência térmica nas amostras apresentaram perdas de massa inferiores nas amostras vi8a xetrusão reativa. Em ensaios de reometria capilar, a inserção do POSS levou a um aumento progressivo da viscosidade intrínseca do polímero, indicando aumento da massa molar média do TPU sintetizado via solução. Os mesmos ensaios executados com as amostras via extrusão reativa mostraram viscosidades aparentes similares, provavelmente influenciados por processos de degradação do material na célula de carga, levando a comportamentos de viscosidade sem uma tendência observável. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-06-03T18:10:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Gabriel Hoyer Lopes.pdf: 2245249 bytes, checksum: 97ec28c68a7d73e9ca22b258465c50c6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-03T18:10:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Gabriel Hoyer Lopes.pdf: 2245249 bytes, checksum: 97ec28c68a7d73e9ca22b258465c50c6 (MD5) / In this work, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) were synthesized in solution process and reactive extrusion in twin-screw extruder. The TPUs were obtained with the use of pre-polymer based on 4,4´-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and a polyester functionalized polyol, the bis-2-(hidroxyethyl)ether hidroquinone and the n-phenylaminopropyl-POSS as a second chain extender. The reagents and products were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and also capillary rheometry (only for those products). The DSC analysis presence influenced the melting enthalpy (ΔHm) of the TPU synthesized by solution. The samples synthesized through reactive extrusion at 80 ºC presented a higher Tm compared to the 90 ºC TPUs, with a higher ΔHm, suggesting that the temperature favors the formation of a greater number of crystals with a lower medium size. Exothermic phenomena were observed during the heating of samples synthesized in reactive extrusion, probably due to the availability of free isocyanate groups, which were detected by FTIR in the ~2253 cm-1 region. The thermal stability of the TPUs was enhanced by the addition of POSS, while the polymers obtained through reactive extrusion presented higher onset degradation temperatures. The TGA analysis in isothermal conditions showed progressively lower mass loss values in samples obtained by reactive extrusion, demonstrating that the amount of POSS, as well the synthesis temperature, had influence in the final properties of the TPU. The thermal resistance of samples polymerized in reactive extrusion. In capillary rheometry tests, the insertion of POSS in the polymer led to a progressively higher value of intrinsic viscosity of the TPUs, indicating an increase in the mean molar mass of the TPUs obtained through solution synthesis. The same method was applied to the samples obtained through reactive extrusion, which showed similar apparent viscosities, yet the analysis was probably influenced by the degradation of the TPU inside the loading cell, leading to no measurable tendency in the viscosity of the polymer.

Neste trabalho, foram sintetizados poliuretanos termoplásticos (TPU) via solução em reator e via extrusão reativa em extrusora dupla rosca. Os TPUs foram obtidos com o uso de pré-polímero 4,4‟-difenilmetano (MDI) e poliol poliéster, a hidroquinona bis-2-(hidróxietil)-éter (HQEE), e o n-fenilaminopropil-POSS. Os reagentes e produtos foram caracterizados através de análises de Espectroscopia no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Calorimetria Diferencial de Varredura (DSC), análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e reometria capilar (exclusivamente para os produtos). As análises de DSC mostraram que a presença do POSS influenciou a entalpia de fusão (ΔHm) dos TPUs sintetizados via solução. As amostras polimerizadas por extrusão reativa a 80 ºC apresentam Tm comparativamente menores que as amostras sintetizadas a 90 ºC, porém com ΔHm superior, indicando que a temperatura possivelmente favorece a formação de um número maior de cristais com um tamanho médio inferior. Também foram observados fenômenos exotérmicos durante o aquecimento das amostras sintetizadas via extrusão reativa, provavelmente devido a disponibilidade de grupos isocianato livres, detectados via FTIR, na região de ~2253 cm-1. A estabilidade térmica dos TPUs via solução também foi alterada pela adição de POSS, enquanto o polímero obtido através da extrusão reativa apresentou valores mais elevados no início da degradação. Os ensaios de TGA em isoterma apresentaram valores de perda de massa progressivamente inferiores nas amostras sintetizadas via extrusão reativa, demonstrando que tanto o POSS quanto a temperatura de síntese influem nas propriedades do polímero. Ensaios de resistência térmica nas amostras apresentaram perdas de massa inferiores nas amostras vi8a xetrusão reativa. Em ensaios de reometria capilar, a inserção do POSS levou a um aumento progressivo da viscosidade intrínseca do polímero, indicando aumento da massa molar média do TPU sintetizado via solução. Os mesmos ensaios executados com as amostras via extrusão reativa mostraram viscosidades aparentes similares, provavelmente influenciados por processos de degradação do material na célula de carga, levando a comportamentos de viscosidade sem uma tendência observável. / In this work, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) were synthesized in solution process and reactive extrusion in twin-screw extruder. The TPUs were obtained with the use of pre-polymer based on 4,4´-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and a polyester functionalized polyol, the bis-2-(hidroxyethyl)ether hidroquinone and the n-phenylaminopropyl-POSS as a second chain extender. The reagents and products were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and also capillary rheometry (only for those products). The DSC analysis presence influenced the melting enthalpy (ΔHm) of the TPU synthesized by solution. The samples synthesized through reactive extrusion at 80 ºC presented a higher Tm compared to the 90 ºC TPUs, with a higher ΔHm, suggesting that the temperature favors the formation of a greater number of crystals with a lower medium size. Exothermic phenomena were observed during the heating of samples synthesized in reactive extrusion, probably due to the availability of free isocyanate groups, which were detected by FTIR in the ~2253 cm-1 region. The thermal stability of the TPUs was enhanced by the addition of POSS, while the polymers obtained through reactive extrusion presented higher onset degradation temperatures. The TGA analysis in isothermal conditions showed progressively lower mass loss values in samples obtained by reactive extrusion, demonstrating that the amount of POSS, as well the synthesis temperature, had influence in the final properties of the TPU. The thermal resistance of samples polymerized in reactive extrusion. In capillary rheometry tests, the insertion of POSS in the polymer led to a progressively higher value of intrinsic viscosity of the TPUs, indicating an increase in the mean molar mass of the TPUs obtained through solution synthesis. The same method was applied to the samples obtained through reactive extrusion, which showed similar apparent viscosities, yet the analysis was probably influenced by the degradation of the TPU inside the loading cell, leading to no measurable tendency in the viscosity of the polymer.

Com a alta taxa de desertificação dos solos e a necessidade de irrigação constante dos plantios, existe a necessidade da criação de um polímero superabsorvente (SAP) com a característica de ser biodegradável. Observando o estágio tecnológico relacionado às atividades de pesquisa e desenvolvimento de SAPs no Brasil, foi utilizado o poli (álcool vinílico)/PVA e o amido de mandioca para a formação de hidrogéis a partir de blendas poliméricas. Assim, soluções aquosas desses polímeros foram reticuladas quimicamente, usando o glutaraldeído como agente reticulante e comparadas com amostras reticuladas por radiação gama, irradiadas a uma dose de 25 kgy. Os hidrogéis resultantes foram caracterizados por diversas técnicas analíticas como a fração gel, o intumescimento em água destilada, a espectroscopia de infravermelho com refletância total atenuada ATR (FT-IR), a termogravimetria (TG/DTG), a calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e a microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Observou-se uma maior reticulação nos hidrogéis reticulados com o glutaraldeído e em consequência um menor grau de intumescimento quando comparadas com as amostras que foram irradiadas. Com vias a produzir hidrogéis em uma escala industrial, misturas de PVA e amido foram processadas por extrusão reativa, mudando assim o processo de preparação de solução aquosa para misturas secas. Foram extrudadas amostras de PVA com diferentes pesos moleculares tais como o PVA 26-88, o PVA 40-88, o PVA 110-99 e o poli (ácido glioxílico vinílico)/PVGA, este último sintetizado a partir da modificação do PVA 110-99. Foi adicionado na mistura o ácido glioxílico no desenvolvimento do SAP por reticulação química nas amostras do PVA, por ter grupos carboxílicos que podem aumentar o intumescimento e também servir como agente reticulante. Também foram feitas formulações de extrusão sem o ácido glioxílico para serem usados como brancos. Adicionou-se nas misturas diversos agentes plastificantes como a glicerina e o polietilenoglicol (PEG 400) e as propriedades mecânicas foram estudadas. Foram desenvolvidas duas análises fatoriais de 23 para analisar as mudanças na reticulação das formulações. Os pellets foram caracterizados com as mesmas técnicas analíticas que os hidrogéis feitos em solução, adicionando-se análises de intumescimento e reversibilidade de intumescimento em diversos solventes como a água pura, a água da chuva, as soluções tampão de pH 3, pH 7 e pH 10, além de soro fisiológico, visando a aplicação em diferentes solos com diferentes pH e salinidades. Os testes de intumescimento em diferentes sais demonstraram a ter menor retenção de água quando comparada com água pura. Os testes de reversibilidade de intumescimento dos pellets mostraram que a maioria das formulações perde a sua capacidade de intumescimento máximo aos seis primeiros ciclos. Foi feita a compressão dos pellets para observar a flexibilidade dos mesmos, visando aplicações debaixo do solo. Realizou-se um estudo de biodegradação em terra ao longo de 120 dias, e estudou-se a relação direta com os valores da fração gel. Os resultados mostraram que os pellets menos reticulados intumesceram mais, enquanto as microscopias mostraram que essas amostras tinham uma morfologia mais porosa, o que contribuiu na melhora na retenção do líquido. Além disso, eram mais flexíveis e biodegradaram mais rápido, sendo extremamente viáveis para a aplicação na agricultura. Foi verificado que o PVA 40-88 apresentou os melhores valores de intumescimento em diferentes sais. Com o SAP obtido, foi constatado que a extrusão reativa é um método viável para a produção dos SAPs. / With high soil desertification rate and the need for constant irrigation of the plantations, there is the need to create a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) with the characteristic of being biodegradable. Noting the technological stage related to research and development activities of SAPs in Brazil, we used poly (vinyl alcohol)/PVA and cassava starch for the formation of hydrogels from polymer blends. Thus, aqueous solutions of these polymers were chemically crosslinked using glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent and compared to samples cross-linked by gamma irradiation, irradiated the a dose of 25 kgy. The resulting hydrogels were characterized by various analytical techniques such as gel fraction, swelling in distilled water, infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There was a higher crosslink in the hydrogels crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and consequently a lower degree of swelling as compared to samples that were irradiated. With routes to produce hydrogels on an industrial scale, PVA and starch mixtures were processed by reactive extrusion, thus changing the aqueous solution preparation process to dry mix. PVA samples were extruded with different molecular weights such as PVA 26-88, PVA 40-88, PVA 110-99 and poly (vinyl glyoxylic acid)/PVGA, the latter synthesized from the modified PVA 110-99. It was added to the mixture glyoxylic acid in the SAP development by chemical crosslinking of the PVA sample for having carboxyl groups that may increase the swelling and also serve as crosslinker. Also extrusion formulations were made without the glyoxylic acid to be used as white. Was added to the mixture, various plasticizers such as glycerin and polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) and the mechanical properties were studied. two factor analyzes were developed from 23 to analyze the changes in crosslinking formulations. The pellets were characterized with the same analytical techniques that hydrogels made in solution by adding analyzes swelling and swelling of reversibility in various solvents such as pure water, rain water, pH buffer solutions 3, pH 7 and pH 10, in addition to saline solution, aimed at application in different soils with different salinities and pH. swelling tests at different salts shown to have lower water retention when compared to pure water. The pellets reversibility of the swelling tests showed that most formulations loses its swelling capacity up to the first six cycles. The compression of the pellets was taken to observe their flexibility, targeting applications underground. We conducted a study of biodegradation on land over 120 days, and studied the direct relationship with the gel fraction values. The results showed that the pellets swelled more crosslinked least while microscopy showed that these samples had a more porous morphology, which contributed to the improvement in fluid retention. Moreover, they are more flexible and biodegrade more rapidly and are extremely viable for use in agriculture. It has been found that PVA 40-88 showed better swelling values at different salts. With SAP obtained, it was found that the reactive extrusion is a viable method for the production of SAPs.

Diploma thesis deals with preparation and characterization of block copolymer PP/PE grafted with itaconic anhydride in melt. Experimental part deals with free radical iniciated grafting of polar monomers onto polyolefins and with potencial applications of grafted polyolefins. Samples of PP/PE grafted with itaconic anhydride were prepared under various conditions in the experimental part. 2,5-dimethyl-2,5bis(tert-buthylperoxy)hexane (Luperox 101) was used as radical iniciator. Grafting was performed in Brabender mixer under conditions: temperature 190-230°C, concentration of monomer 0,25-1 weight percent, concentration of iniciator 0,025 – 2 weight percent, screw speed 30 rpm. The influence of certain parameteres: iniciator concentration, monomer concentration and temperature upon conversion of monomer, value of MFI and homopolymerization of monomer extent was of interest. Presence of anhydride bonded to the polymer backbone was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Concentration of grafted anhydride and conversion of monomer was determined by acid-base titration and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.

Les copolymères à blocs contenant une partie souple et une partie dure constituent aujourd'hui une classe de matériaux très attractifs en raison de leurs propriétés résultant de la combinaison de deux homopolymères de nature différente. Dans le cadre des copolymères à blocs à forte teneur en polydiméthylsiloxane (PDMS), une méthode de synthèse originale en deux étapes, compatibilisation puis extension, a été développée. Respectueuse de l'environnement grâce à l'utilisation du procédé d'extrusion réactive, cette approche ouvre une nouvelle voie vers le développement d'élastomères thermoplastiques. L'objectif de cette thèse est d'élaborer à l'état fondu des copolymères à blocs à base de PDMS silicone à partir de la réaction époxy-amine puis, par une réaction d'allongement d'obtenir un matériau avec une forte proportion en PDMS. Dans un premier temps, une étude de la réaction époxy-amine sur molécules modèles a été réalisée à partir d'oligodiméthylsiloxanes α,ω- fonctionnalisés époxy et d'une alkylamine. Indépendamment de la température et du ratio molaire, la réaction a permis d'obtenir des copolymères greffés de type (A2B2)n. Dans un deuxième temps, cette stratégie a ensuite été appliquée à des systèmes polymères tels que le polyéthylène et le polyamide. A cette échelle, la réaction s'est produite et conduit à des produits de type (A2B2)n. Dans un troisième temps, l'ensemble des copolymères synthétisés ont été étudiés lors de la réaction d'allongement, basée sur l'insertion de siloxanes cycliques à l'aide d'une superbase. Dépendante de la température et de la quantité de catalyseur, cette réaction a été étudiée sur molécules modèles et sur des systèmes polymères / Nowadays hard-soft block copolymers consist of a very attractive material class because of their properties resulting of the combination of two different homopolymers. In the case of block copolymers with on a high polydiméthylsiloxane (PDMS) content, an innovative 2-step synthesis method, compatibilization and extension, has been developed. Using an environmental friendly route such as a reactive extrusion process, this approach opens a new synthesis pathway towards the development of thermoplastic elastomers. The goal of this thesis is to develop mass block copolymers based on PDMS using the epoxy-amine reaction, followed by an extension reaction to reach a material with a high percent of silicone. Firstly, a study of the epoxy-amine reaction on model molecules was carried out between a low molecular weight PDMS and an alkylamine. Independently of the temperature and the molar ratio, the reaction allowed to obtain graft copolymers with an (A2B2)n type structures. Secondly, this strategy has then been applied in polymer systems such as polyethylene and polyamide. At this scale, the reaction occurred and lead to products with (A2B2)n type structures. Thirdly, all synthesized copolymers were studied during the extension reaction, based on the insertion of cyclic siloxanes using a catalysis system. Depending of the temperature and the catalyst quantity, this reaction was investigated on model molecules and polymer systems

Ce travail de thèse concerne l’élaboration et l’optimisation d’un procédé de synthèse par extrusion réactive de polyesters aliphatiques par polycondensation de l’acide sébacique avec le 1,6-hexanediol. L’utilisation des polyesters est un secteur en constante augmentation depuis ces dernières années notamment avec l’utilisation du poly(éthylène téréphtalate) dans des applications d’emballages. Cependant, la synthèse de ces polymères est basée sur des réactions de polycondensations dont les cinétiques sont classiquement assez lentes ce qui entraîne des durées de synthèse longues et in fine assez couteuses. Le but de cette étude est la mise en place d’un procédé continu par extrusion réactive qui permettrait de réduire les durées de synthèse (moins d’une heure) et d'obtenir de hautes masses molaires compétitifs. Dans un premier temps, l’étude porte sur la synthèse en réacteur d’un polyester dît modèle : le poly(hexaméthylène sébaçate). La détermination des conditions optimales de synthèse de ce polyester en réacteur permet de mettre à jour les catalyseurs et leur quantité nécessaire pour obtenir de hautes masses molaires. Une deuxième partie de ce travail de thèse a ensuite été basé sur le transfert des connaissances acquises en réacteur au procédé d'extrusion réactive. Enfin, l’optimisation de l’ensemble des paramètres de la synthèse du polyester modèle et des conditions d’extrusion (profil de vis, profil de température, vitesse des vis…) a permis la synthèse de poly(hexaméthylène sébaçate) dont les masses molaires sont très proches de celles obtenues en réacteur et qui laisse entrevoir un développement très prochain de ce nouveau procédé au niveau industriel. / This PhD thesis is about a new way to synthesis aliphatic polyesters based on hexanediol and sebacic acid by making use of reactive extrusion. Polyesters use have increased each year from the last fifty years, especially the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for packaging applications. However, polyesters are made from polycondensations, chemical reactions that require a lot of time to obtain high molar mass. The goal of this study is to create and optimise a new synthesis process by reactive extrusion to reduce drastically the synthesis time from several hours to a couple of minutes to obtain the same polyester than the classical process. This thesis is split into two big parts. The first one is the optimisation of the synthesis of the polyester used for the study: the poly(hexamethylene sebacate). Catalysts and synthesis conditions are discussed to draw the scheme of the synthesis in the classical process making used of batch reactors. The second step is the transposition of the synthesis to reactive extrusion. Optimisations of all extrusion conditions (screw profile, temperature range, screw speed…) are performed to obtain a poly(hexamethylene sebacate) with molar mass close to the ones made by batch reactor. This new process make the development of new polyesters faster than before and will allow some new materials based on these polymers.

<p dir="ltr">Bean flour possesses a significant fraction of water-insoluble components that are known to limit its uses in food applications. This study aimed to determine if using specific enzymes targeting the dietary fiber of bean flour could increase solubility, release protein and starch, and improve its utilization as a replacement for soy protein isolates in meat analogues. Water solubility, protein solubility, starch content and texture of bean flour was measured after enzymatic treatment with pectin- or hemicellulose-degrading enzymes in aqueous suspension. Low moisture reactive extrusion trials ranged from 60-80% solid content at 2 % enzyme content. High moisture extrusion ranged from 30% solid content from 1.5 to 5% enzyme content and from 40 % solid content at 2% enzyme content. Water solubility and insoluble protein increased with both low and high moisture reactive extrusion. Starch content increased with high moisture reactive extrusion. Beta-glucanase increased starch and insoluble protein content more than polygalacturonase treatments. However, Polygalacturonase and beta-glucanase increased overall water-solubility similarly. Determined starch content decreased with low moisture extrusion and both enzymes behaved equally. In the final set of trials, meat analogues were prepared with wheat gluten in combination with soy protein isolate, bean flour, or a mixture of soy protein isolate and bean flour. Replacing soy protein isolate with bean flour in meat analogues provided comparable hardness and anisotropic index. Polygalacturonase and beta-glucanase treatments during reactive extrusion of bean flours both decreased hardness of bean-containing meat analogues; beta-glucanase decreased the anisotropic index, whereas analogues made from polygalacturonase-treated flour did not differ from the control. Therefore, reactive extrusion showed either negative or null impact on texture. Reactive extrusion with polygalacturonase and beta-glucanase improved some desired analytical targets for bean flours, but the practical application (meat analogue) did not demonstrate an improvement.</p>

Cette thèse se compose de deux parties. Dans la partie I, nous avons comparé les différences entre les polymérisations en macro- et mini- émulsion. Nous avons établi un modèle de polymérisation en macro-émulsion. Ce modèle peut prédire la distribution de la taille de la chaîne radicalaire pour une classe donnée de tailles des particules. Par comparaison, nous avons établi un modèle de polymérisation en mini-émulsion. Ce modèle peut fournir la distribution des tailles des particules et l'évolution des tailles des gouttelettes. Dans la partie II, afin d'améliorer les propriétés du PP, deux types de monomères ont été utilisés pour être greffés sur PP par extrusion réactive. Ces monomères sont l'anhydride maléique MAH et le silane. Pour améliorer le degré de greffage de MAH sur PP, la montmorillonite organiquement modifiée o-MMT a été utilisée comme un nanoréacteur. Les influences des quantités de MAH et d'initiateur ont été étudiées. Afin d'améliorer le degré de greffage du silane sur PP, les conditions opératoires ont été étudiées. Toutefois, une relation simple entre les propriétés du produit et les conditions de fonctionnement n'a pas pu être trouvée. Pour obtenir le montant le plus élevé de silane greffé sur PP, et en même temps, restreindre les deux réactions secondaires, c'est à dire la polymérisation du silane et la dégradation de la PP chaîne, modèles polynomiaux ont été tentées pour décrire ce processus / This thesis consists of two parts: In Part I, the differences between macro-and mini-emulsion polymerization were compared. A model on macro-emulsion polymerization has been established. This model can predict the radical chain size distribution for a given class of particle sizes. By comparison, a model on mini-emulsion polymerization has been established. This model can provide the particle size distribution and the change of droplets size. In Part II, in order to improve the properties of PP, two kinds of monomers were used to be grafted on PP by reactive extrusion. These monomers were maleic anhydride (MAH) and silane. To improve the grafting degree of MAH on PP, organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) was used as a nanoreactor. The effects of the amounts of MAH and that of initiator were studied. In order to improve the grafting degree of silane on PP, the operating conditions were studied. However, a simple relation between the product properties and the operating conditions could not be found. To obtain the highest amount of silane grafted on PP, and meanwhile, restraining the two side reactions, i.e. the polymerization of silane and the PP chain degradation, polynomial models were attempted to describe this process