"Terra BioSafe" antimicrobial coatings for surfaces based on aqueous dispersions of polyurethanes impregnated with metallic micro- and nanoparticles

• Grant number: 24/16179-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lais Roncalho de Lima
• Grantee: Lais Roncalho de Lima
• Associated research grant: 23/02020-0 - Antimicrobial coatings for surfaces from aqueous dispersions of polyurethanes impregnated with metallic micro and nanoparticles, AP.PIPE

Abstract

This Phase 2 project will be aimed at the actual development of new aqueous dispersions of vegetable oil-based polyurethanes (PU), associated with metallic micro and nanoparticles for applications such as coatings for medical devices or coatings for hospital areas, validated in Phase 1. The metallic particles will remain as micronized powders of copper or Cu-Zn alloy, copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) and Cu-Zn alloy (Cu-Zn-NPs). In addition to these, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and silver-copper (Ag-Cu-NPs) will also be used to optimize the formulations. The methodology in this Phase 2 includes the steps of formulation adjustments, improvements in the preparation and synthesis of the final product, characterizations that prove the improvement and maintenance of the product's antimicrobial property lifetime, rheological and mechanical evaluation, shelf-life evaluation, tests with potential customers and in hospital environments, characterizations for regulation and product registration with a view to its commercialization. The relevance of the proposal involves the process of obtaining anti-infectious polyurethanes, through less aggressive production methods using raw materials from renewable resources produced in Brazil, such as castor oil. As expected results, Terra Azul Tecnologia de Polímeros Naturais Ltda. aims to start commercializing the antimicrobial coating, which may reduce the rate of hospital infection, positively impact the environment and reduce costs through manufacturing as a national technology. The development of this work will be directly linked to the optimization of production processes and development of the formulations validated in Phase 1. (AU)