71227e67_e_of_Technology_Transfer__OTT___Description
[Subject Matter] New Materials [Docket] 89.10 [Title] PRODUCTION OF STABLE GLYCERIDES OF CITRIC ACID: GLYCEROL BLENDS [Description] 
Unique, inexpensive, solid, amorphous glycerides (citric acid polyester biopolymers) were obtained by short term microwave treatments, i.e., 48 or 60 sec, from various citric acid:glycerol blends. These biopolymers were produced without use of additional solvents, catalysts, plasticizers or complicated chemical synthesis procedures. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy of these glycerides showed that citric acid formed stable polyesters and strong hydrogen bonds with glycerol. Glycerides examined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA) were highly thermally stable, up to 312oC. These glycerides can be employed in a myriad of commercial uses such as packaging materials, extruded bioplastics etc.
ARS : Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)