Synthesis of green polymers using monomers from renewable sources by free radical polymerization mediated by nitroxides in emulsion

• Grant number: 22/07165-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: MAURÍCIO PINHEIRO DE OLIVEIRA
• Grantee: MAURÍCIO PINHEIRO DE OLIVEIRA
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fernando Henrique Cristovan ; Lilia Müller Guerrini

Abstract

The development of bio-based polymer using monomers from renewable sources and less aggressive toward the environment has grown and creating a new trend in the polymer materials community, especially bio-based polymers in aqueous dispersed media that have specific properties, low production complexity and more customized products that have comparable properties to petroleum-derived polymers. In this sense, more recent studies have indicated that is possible to make bio-based copolymers with controlled molar mass using nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) and bio-sourced monomers as an alternative for replacing traditional monomers like styrene (ES) and 1,3-butadiene (Bu). However, the implementation of this technology still needs further studies, mainly in relation to the polymer synthesis, polymerization process, control of the molar mass, conversion, and application properties of bio-based copolymers. Therefore, this project aims to understand the copolymerization of trans-²-farnesene (Far) and myrcene (Mir) with isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) using NMP by emulsion technique, aiming to obtain block copolymers as an alternative to replace petroleum-based monomers (ES and Bu) for industrial applications. Different polymerization process strategies on a pilot scale will be used to find the best process conditions to produce poly(Far-b-IBOMA) copolymers with controlled molar mass in a dispersed aqueous media. Among the strategies, it is intended to use different monomer compositions, different initiators (alkoxyanine) and semi-continuous process. The latexes and copolymers will be characterized in relation to overall and individual monomer conversion, polymer composition, colloidal properties, molar mass, gel content, rheological behavior, thermal, mechanical and application properties. The copolymers will also be evaluated in adhesive formulations to confirm the colloidal, intrinsic and application properties of the block copolymers. This project will be developed in partnership with McGill University and have partial financial support of CNPq a technical support of BASF to understand the effect of Far, Mir and IBOMA on the colloidal, intrinsic and application properties of the latexes and polymers as alternative to replace petroleum-based monomers. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SANTOS, SAMUEL A.; ROMAO, EDUARDO G. M.; NAHRA, LARA R.; GUERRINI, LILA M.; OLIVEIRA, MAURICIO P.. Colloidal and thermal properties of poly(hydroxyethyl caprolactone acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate)-g-pullulan latex obtained by seeded semi-batch emulsion polymerization. POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE, v. 64, n. 8, p. 11-pg., 2024-06-12. (22/07165-4)

RODRIGUES, LINA DAYSE ALCANTARA; OLIVEIRA, MAURICIO PINHEIRO. Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(butyl acrylate-co-farnesene) by Emulsion Polymerization Technique for Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives. MACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, v. 413, n. 6, p. 6-pg., 2024-12-01. (22/07165-4)