Abstract
α and β crystalline phases of poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) were determined using X-ray powder diffraction by structure resolution in direct space and Rietveld refinement. Moreover, the α’ structure of a PEF sample was refined from data previously reported for PEF fiber. Triclinic α-PEF a = 5.729 Å, b = 7.89 Å, c = 9.62 Å, α = 98.1°, β = 65.1°, γ = 101.3°; monoclinic α’-PEF a = 5.912 Å, b = 6.91 Å, c = 19.73 Å, α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 104.41°; and monoclinic β-PEF a = 5.953 Å, b = 6.60 Å, c = 10.52 Å, α = 90°, β = 107.0°, γ = 90° were determined as the best fitting of X-ray diffraction (XRD) powder patterns. Final atomic coordinates are reported for all polymorphs. In all cases PEF chains adopted an almost planar configuration.
Highlights
In recent years, in view of a greener and more sustainable economy, many efforts from both academic and industrial sectors have been devoted to the development of bio-based alternatives to fossil-based plastics
2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), whose initial diffusion was hampered by the difficulty to produce large amounts with high purity, has been lately the object of much research [2,3]
FDCA can be readily obtained from the oxidation of hydroxymethylfurfural, in turn derived from the dehydration ofsaccharides or by exploiting new synthetic routes, such as through 2-furoic acid and CO2 [4,5,6]
Summary
In view of a greener and more sustainable economy, many efforts from both academic and industrial sectors have been devoted to the development of bio-based alternatives to fossil-based plastics. FDCA can be readily obtained from the oxidation of hydroxymethylfurfural, in turn derived from the dehydration of (poly)saccharides or by exploiting new synthetic routes, such as through 2-furoic acid and CO2 [4,5,6]. From this framework, in October 2016, the Dutch company Avantium announced the establishment of a new joint venture with BASF corporation, named Synvina, for the large-scale production and marketing of FDCA [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
