(379p) Electrohydrodynamic Processing in Biosolvents Production from Waste Polylactide

We present the design, creation, and development of immobilizing calcium oxide (CaO) catalyst onto polymeric mats for environmentally friendly biosolvents production. The polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber mat was prepared by electrospinning technique, in which immobilized CaO particles were physically entrapped on the fibers. Immobilized and free-flowing CaO catalysts were later successfully used in the transesterification of waste polylactide into lactic acid methyl esters (MeLa). Entrapped CaO particles in the PAN fibers were able to be re-used up to 5 times in the conversion of waste polyester into biosolvent,. The use of electrospinning technique allows the creation of an easily separable and reusable catalyst, which provides a sustainable method for future transesterification reactions of waste polylactide.

Moreover, produced in proposed method ester (MeLa) was successfully used as a solvent in ecologically friendly demulsifier - an additive commonly used in the petroleum industry, especially in protected marine areas. By changing the traditionally used solvents, like isopropanol or butyl glycol, to MeLa we were able to produce ecologically friendly additive with excellent oil-water demulsifying properties. Furthermore, produced additive was safe for microorganisms isolated from marine and sweet waters and presented inhibition properties on microbial corrosion.