SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A RENEWABLE ACRYLIC MONOMER FROM GLYCEROL FOR APPLICATION IN PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION

• Grant number: 25/12505-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Gilbert Bannach
• Grantee: Vinícius de Freitas Montanher
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project proposes the synthesis and characterization of a renewable acrylate monomer derived from glycerol, an abundant byproduct of biodiesel production. The strategy involves the functionalization of glycerol with an acrylate isocyanate, obtained through the reaction between an aromatic diisocyanate (MDI or TDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The resulting monomer will contain multiple reactive acrylate groups, making it suitable for photopolymerization under UV radiation, an essential feature for applications in additive manufacturing (light-based 3D printing), which enables the fabrication of objects with tailored architectures for fields such as biomedicine, aerospace, and automotive industries. Furthermore, the goal is to obtain materials with a high renewable content and thermal and mechanical properties comparable to or better than those of conventional polymers derived from non-renewable sources. The proposal is aligned with the principles of Green Chemistry and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal No. 12, promoting the use of renewable raw materials and reducing dependence on fossil resources. Various characterizations will be carried out, including FTIR, UV-Vis, SEM, viscosity, and thermal analysis (TG-DTA, DSC, Photo-DSC). The approach adopted in this project is expected to contribute significantly to the sustainability of monomer and polymer production.