Polymer chemistry applications of Cyrene™ and its derivative Cygnet 0.0 as safer replacements for polar aprotic solvents

This study explores a binary solvent system of biobased Cyrene and its derivative, Cygnet 0.0, with novel properties for applications in membranes technology and bio-catalysed synthesis of polyesters. Cygnet-Cyrene blends have not been reported prior to this work and could represent viable replacements for toxic polar aprotic solvents. The use of a 50 wt% Cygnet-Cyrene mixture has made a practical difference in the production of flat sheet membranes by NIPS process. New polymeric membranes from cellulose acetate, polysulfone and polyimide are for the first time manufactured using Cyrene, Cygnet 0,0 and their blend. Results showed that the produced membranes have different morphology when the solvent/mixture and temperature of casting solution change. Moreover, Cyrene and Cygnet 0.0 and Cygnet-Cyrene were also explored for substituting diphenyl ether for the bio-catalysed synthesis of polyesters. The results set Cygnet 0.0 as a very promising candidate for the enzymatic synthesis of high molecular weight polyesters.