International College of Arts and Sciences Department of Environmental Science: Back Page

Professor

Toshio YOSHIMURA

Brief personal history

1985　Graduated from Department of Polymer Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University
1987　Graduated from Master Course, Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
1987-2002 　Toray Industries, Inc.
2002-2006　 Associate Professor at Fukuoka Women's University
2006-present　 Professor at Fukuoka Women's University

Degrees

Doctor of Engineering (Kyoto University)

Research themes

・Synthesis and characterization of eco-friendly polymers
・Functionalization of naturally occurring polymes
・Development of biodegradable superabsorbent hydrogels
・Effective utilization of sea lettuce pullulating in Hakata bay

Brief explanation of research

Development of eco-friendly polymers useful in our daily life is one of the significant challenges for the realization of a sustainable society.

1. Background
　In 20th century, various kinds of synthetic plastics have been developed and produced, which made our life so comfortable, clean, and safe.　On the other hand, synthetic plastics possess many problems to solve.　They are produced from fossil fuel, which is exhaustive.　They have no biodegradability, so they remain for a long time when disposed by landfill.　They may cause increase of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, when disposed by incineration.　So, synthetic plastics are one of the significant and symbolic material of the modern society.　One possible solution is development of green polymers, such as poly(lactic acid).　They are produced from natural resources such as corn starch, which are renewable.　They have biodegradability which can be disposed in sewage plant or compost.

2. Research Topic (a)　Development of eco-friendly superabsorbent hydrogels
　Superabsorbent hydrogels are extensively used in many applications such as hygiene products, agriculture, food, medical, and so on.　The present situation of superabsobent hydrogels are similar to that of synthetic plastics.　They are produced from petroleum, and after use, they are incinerated in Japan, in spite of containing large amount of water.　So development of "green" superabsorbent hydrogels is a very important theme to achieve.　Cotton cellulose is promising candidate for their main chain, because it is abundantly produced every year, its molecular weight is extremely high, and it has excellent biodegradability. So we have been studying the development of superabsorbent hydrogels based on polysaccharides such as cotton cellulose, chitin, starch, and so on.　Various kinds of novel biodegradable superabsorbent hydrogels have been successfully obtained from these polysaccharides.

3. Research Topic (b)　Utilization of sea lettuce proliferating at Hakata bay
　Wajiro-higata tideland, east area of Hakata bay, is one of the most popular stopovers for migratory birds.　Recently, a plague of sea lettuce has been seen every summer, which may not only destroy the scenery but also exert a bad influence on the ecological system.　Fukuoka city collects it by use of special boat.　The collected sea lettuce is disposed by landfill or incineration, because its application has not been found yet.　We have investigated the production of life-related materials such as detergent, paper and green composites from sea lettuce.　Environmental load of transportation will be reduced when we achieve the goal.

Select publication list

1.Yoshimura, T., Miyajima, K., and Fujioka, R., Green Composites of Sea Lettuce (Ulva ohnoi) and Poly(lactic acid): Effect of Fillers, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 45, 35-38 (2014).

2.Yoshimura, T., Iwami, M., and Fujioka, R., Preparation and Characterizaiton of Green Composites of Sea Lettuce (Ulva ohnoi) and Poly(butylene succinate), Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 44, 23-27 (2013).

3.Yoshimura, T., Matsumura, M., and Fujioka, R., Preparation and Characterizaiton of Superabsorbent Hydrogels from Carrageenan Crosslinked by Acid-base interaction, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 43, 1-4 (2012).

4.Yoshimura, T., Makino, H., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Propeties of Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Alginate: Effect of Taurine as Pendant Group, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 43, 5-8 (2012).

5.Yoshimura, T., Shin, S., and Fujioka, R., Preparation of Superabsorbent Hydrogels from Pectin Crosslinked by Divinylsulfone, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 43, 9-12 (2012).

6.Yoshimura, T., Kato, Y., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Properties of Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Sodium Polyitaconate and Some Polysaccharides, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 42, 7-10 (2011).

7.Yoshimura, T., Negishi, M., and Fujioka, R., Attempted Synthesis of Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Sodium Polymalate and Their Properties, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 42, 11-14 (2011).

8.Yoshimura, T., Yamaguchi, K., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Properties of Superabsorbent Hydrogels with Crosslinker Based on Cotton Cellulose, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 42, 15-19 (2011).

9.Yoshimura, T., Kawano, Y., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Properties of Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Glucomannan and Succinic Anhydride, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 41, 33-38 (2010).

10.Yoshimura, T., Matsunaga, M., and Fujioka, R., Alginate-based superabsorbent hydrogels composed of carboxylic acid-amine interaction: preparation and characterization, E-polymers, 2009, no. 080, 1-8 (2009).

11.Fujioka, R., Tanaka, Y., and Yoshimura, T., Synthesis and Properties of Superabsorbent Hydrogels　Based on Guar Gum and Succinic Anhydride, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 114(1), 612-616 (2009)

12.Yoshimura, T., Ito, A., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Characterization of Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Chitosan and Succinic Anhydride, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 40, 21-25 (2009).

13.Yoshimura, T. and Fujioka, R., Salt and pH Responsive Properties of Hydrogels Based on Succinylated Cotton　Cellulose and Chitin, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 40, 27-31 (2009).

14.Yoshimura, T., Mine, Y., and Fujioka, R., Effect of Morphology and Backbone Structure on Absorption Speed of Some Superabsorbent Hydrogels, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 39, 7-11 (2008).

15.Yoshimura, T., Shimuta, K., and Fujioka, R., Attempted Preparation and Characterization of Superabsorbent Hydrogels from Extracts of Sea Lettuce, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 38, 19-23 (2007).

16.Yoshimura, T., Yoshimura, R., Seki, C., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Hydrogels Based on Starch and Succinic Anhydride, Carbohydrate Polymers, 64(2), 345-349 (2006).

17.Yoshimura, T., Maeda, M., and Fujioka, R., Preparation and Characterization of Agar-based Superabsorbent Hydrogels,Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 37, 1-5 (2006).

18.Yoshimura, T., Matsuo, K., and Fujioka, R., Novel Biodegradable Superabsorbent Hydrogels Derived from Cotton Cellulose and Succinic Anhydride: Synthesis and Characterization,Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 99(6), 3251-3256 (2006).

19.Yoshimura, T., Ochi, Y., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Properties of Hydrogels Based on Polyaspartamides with Various Pendants, Polymer Bulletin, 55(5), 377-383 (2005).

20.Yoshimura, T., Uchikoshi, I., Yoshiura, Y., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Biodegradable Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Chitin and Succinic Anhydride, Carbohydrate Polymers, 61(3), 322-326 (2005).

21.Yoshimura, T., Sengoku, K., and Fujioka, R., Pectin-based Superabsorbent Hydrogels Crosslinked by Some Chemicals: Synthesis and Characterization, Polymer Bulletin, 55(1-2), 123-129 (2005).

22.Yoshimura, T., Komatsu, M., and Fujioka, R., Synthesis and Properties of Alginate-based Superabsorbents, Bulletin of Facuty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 36, 63-67 (2005).

23.Matsuo, K., Fujioka, R., and Yoshimura, T., Synthesis and Swelling Properties of Biodegradable Superabsorbents Derived from Cotton Cellulose, Bulletin of Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukuoka Women's University, 36, 57-61 (2005).

Research field

・Polymer Chemistry
・Environmental Science
・Material Science

Membership of Academic Societies

・The Society of Polymer Science, Japan
・The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan
・The Cellulose Society of Japan
・American Chemical Society
・The Chemical Society of Japan
・The Japan Society of Home Economics

Awards

Cellulose Society of Japan Award, 2009

Related field

Environmental Science
Experiential Learning
Industry-University-Government Collaboration
Regional Exchange

Related URL

Yoshimura Lab