Natural Polymers
Functional Polymer Systems
Synthesis and Polymer Technology
Water-born Polymer Systems
Pilot Plant Center Schkopau
Our work focuses on the chemical modification of polysaccharides, in particular cellulose and starch, but also hemicellulose, inulin, hyaluronic acid, chitin and chitosan. The chemical and enzyme modification of polysaccharides opens up a wide range of possible uses. Polysaccharide derivates are used, for example, in mass-use products such as building materials, detergents or paper, as well as in highly-developed specialized products. Some special derivates are used in medicine, biotechnology and pharmacy as carriers for enzymes and active ingredients.
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Contact Dr. Bert Volkert Phone +49 (0) 331/ 568-1516 Fax +49 (0) 331/ 568-2616 e-mail bert.volkert@iap.fraunhofer.de |
We use the derivatization of polysaccharides with hydrophilic, hydrophobic, ionic and non-ionic
reagents to create tailored functionalities, generating the syntheses using heterogeneous
and homogenous process conditions. Using esterification, etherification, oxidation and
graft polymerization onto the polymer chains, the degree of substitution within the monomer
unit and along the molecule chain determines the characteristics of each resulting derivative.
A range of cellulose developments with special characteristics, such as particle size,
porosity, and surface, forms the basis for a variety of applications, including for example
spherical cellulose particles known as bead cellulose. These highly-porous materials can be
used, after being chemically functionalized, as separation and carrier materials or for
binding active ingredients, among other uses.
Cellulose derivatives such as cellulose ether or mixed ether can be used to regulate
viscosity and as dispersion stabilizers.
Anionic cellulose sulphates react with cationic polymers to create what are known as
symplex capsules. These can be used for immobilizing a large variety of substances.