Development of new renewable polymers from limonene and curcumin following the green chemistry principles

• Grant number: 23/14645-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Éder Tadeu Gomes Cavalheiro
• Grantee: Aniele de Moura
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Polymeric materials derived from sustainable sources have been of great interest in recent years, being considered a viable alternative to conventional polymers derived from fossil sources. This fact is supported by the increasing consumption of polymeric materials, which, for the most part (derived from finite sources), have low recycling rates and limited life cycle. In this context, this project aims to use limonene and curcumin, both considered biomasses, as raw materials for obtaining novel monomers and polymers that enable circular economy, through the recovery of waste generated in economic activities. The use of intercrossing agents containing sulfur atoms has been widely employed in compounds with shape memory (vitrimer), which have the ability to be reshaped after the application of an external force, increasing the polymer lyfe cycle. Thus, the main of this project is to obtain renewable polymers with distinct mechanical, thermal, vitrimer, and luminescent properties, with potential for use in 3D printers. The syntheses of limonene-derived monomers, as well as their copolymers, will be carried out by photochemical reactions, which are considered green and efficient routes. Copolymerization with triallylcyanurate may result in the formation of thermosetting polymeric materials. In addition, the ability of transition metals Cu(II)/Zn(II) to form adaptive covalent bonds will be evaluated, which may result in the emergence of self-healing/ shape memory properties. Curcumin polymers will be obtained by thermal polymerization. These synthetic routes will be evaluated for their efficiency in adding value to raw materials, aiming to study the potential for production by the Brazilian industry. Moreover, theses polymeric materials derived from limonene and curcumin can also be applied in the development of printed electrodes. (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)

DOS SANTOS, GABRIEL I.; GAGLIERI, CAROLINE; ALARCON, RAFAEL T.; DE MOURA, ANIELE; DOS SANTOS, FERNANDA B.; BANNACH, GILBERT. Glycerol and Maleic Anhydride-Based Acrylic Polyester: A Solution for Greener Photocurable Resins for 3D Printing of Renewable Materials. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING, v. 13, n. 25, p. 12-pg., 2025-06-12. (24/00779-2, 24/03936-1, 21/14879-0, 24/14279-1, 23/14645-5)

NASCIMENTO, FRANCISCO V. B.; FERREIRA, ANA P. G.; GAGLIERI, CAROLINE; DE MOURA, ANIELE; CAVALHEIRO, EDER T. G.. Degradation pathways of Tadalafil: A thermoanalytical study. Thermochimica Acta, v. 747, p. 13-pg., 2025-05-01. (22/15211-6, 23/14645-5, 24/00779-2)

ALARCON, RAFAEL TURRA; DOS SANTOS, GABRIEL IAGO; GAGLIERI, CAROLINE; DE MOURA, ANIELE; CAVALHEIRO, EDER TADEU GOMES; BANNACH, GILBERT. Lipidic biomass as a renewable chemical building block for polymeric materials. CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, v. N/A, p. 16-pg., 2024-11-11. (22/15211-6, 23/14645-5, 24/00779-2, 22/03489-0, 21/14879-0)