Dr. Chikara Tsutsumi received the Doctor of Engineering (2004) in polymer chemistry from Hiroshima University, Japan. He is a Professor at the Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology in National Institute of Technology, Niihama College (NIT,Niihama College). He has been studying synthesis and applied research of environment-adaptable degradable polymer degraded in soil, compost, ponds and the sea. Practical use in the society of the degradable polymer is aimed at, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is tackled for solutions to environmental problems. He previously attempted to impregnate biodegradable polymer such as poly(L-LA) or its copolymers with useful organic compounds using supercritical carbon dioxide as the solvent. He has recently attempted to fabricate biodegradable copolyester films that gradually adopt UV shielding characteristics based on changes in crystallinity resulting from the effects of temperature and humidity.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
1. An environmentally adaptable stereocomplex derived from lactide copolymers with improved UV shielding characteristics based on morphological changes, Reactive and Functional Polymers, 173, 1-13 (2022), Article number 105148.
2. Impregnation of poly(L-lactide-ran-δ-valerolactone) with essential bark oil using supercritical carbon dioxide, Scientific Reports, 9 (1), 1-14 (2019), Article number 16326.
3. Enzymatic degradation of poly(L-lactide) treated with supercritical carbon dioxide, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 134, 366-375 (2016).
4. Effects of supercritical carbon dioxide treatment on the morphology of poly(L-lactide), Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 133 (39), 9544-9552 (2016).
5. Incorporation of L-lactide random copolymers with Japanese cypress oil (α-pinene) using supercritical carbon dioxide, Green Chemistry, 14 (4), 1211-1219 (2012).
