Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team

 

The Larock Group

Summary

The Larock Group in the Department of Chemistry is interested in the
preparation, characterization and commercial development of biobased
resins, composites, coatings and adhesives prepared from natural
oils, like soybean, corn and linseed oils. They have prepared a wide
variety of bioplastics from the cationic, free radical, thermal and
ring opening metathesis of natural oils and derivatives, which
exhibit industrially promising thermal and mechanical properties,
including excellent damping of sound and vibrations and shape memory
properties. Biocomposites have been made from these resins using
agricultural co-products, like distillers dried grains and solubles
(DDGS), soy hulls, corn stover, etc. Novel waterborne, no VOC,
polyurethane, hybrid latex coatings have been prepared from soy
polyols. Pressure sensitive adhesives have also been prepared from
natural oils by several different processes.

Larock Bioplastics, Biocomposites and Coatings Research
[PDF 140KB]

 

 

 

 

 

Visit The Larock Group Web Site for more information about their research.