Eaton, Todd R. | Search NASA

DOE OSTI2023

Emulsion polymerization of nitriles and other compounds

The present disclosure relates to a method that includes polymerizing a nitrile with an acrylate ester to form a copolymer, in a mixture that includes water and an alcohol (R 2 —OH), according to the following reaction where R 1 includes at least one of a first aliphatic group or hydrogen, R 2 comprises at least one of a second aliphatic group or hydrogen, 100≤m≤4000, and 1≤n≤4000. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mixture may be an emulsion.

Meek, Kelly Marie↗

DOE OSTI2021

Systems and methods for producing nitriles

An aspect of the present disclosure is a method that includes a first reacting a molecule from at least one of a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, and/or an anhydride with ammonia to form a nitrile, where the first reacting is catalyzed using an acid catalyst. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of acetic acid, lactic acid, and/or 3-hydroxyproprionic acid (3-HPA). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of methyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and/or ethyl 3-hydroxypropanoate (ethyl 3-HP). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the anhydride may be acetic anhydride.

Karp, Eric M.↗