Open Access
ARTICLE
Synthesis of Polyamides and Their Copolymers via Enzymatic Polymerization
Erythrina Stavila, Katja Loos*
Department of Polymer Chemistry, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG
Groningen, The Netherlands
* Corresponding Author:
Journal of Renewable Materials 2015, 3(4), 268-280. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2015.634102
Received 17 January 2015; Accepted 15 March 2015;
Abstract
The selective and specific features of enzymes have drawn an enormous amount of attention for use as
in-vitro catalysts in polymerization reactions. Various studies on the enzymatic synthesis of polyesters,
polycarbonates, polysaccharides, polypeptides, and polyamides have been performed and some have been
implemented on an industrial scale. Particularly in the synthesis of polyester and polyamides, lipases are
the most used enzymes as catalysts for their polymerization. Polyamides are considered to be one of the
largest engineering polymer families used in the automotive, electrical and electronics, and consumer goods
industries; thus the enzymatic synthesis of polyamides will have a tremendous impact on environmental
issues. Therefore, in this article, the enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of polyamides and their copolymers is
reviewed with a focus on the type of polymerization the enzyme catalyzes and type of monomer used for the
synthesis of polyamides.
Keywords
Cite This Article
Stavila, E., Loos, K. (2015). Synthesis of Polyamides and Their Copolymers via Enzymatic Polymerization.
Journal of Renewable Materials, 3(4), 268–280.