SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF PHOTOPOLYMERIZABLE RESINS DERIVED FROM MACAW, BARU AND CASTOR OILS FOR APPLICATION IN 3D PRINTING.

• Grant number: 25/25333-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Gilbert Bannach
• Grantee: Sabrina Moises Moreno
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the performance of photopolymerizable resins obtained from vegetable oils, focusing on macaw, baru, and castor oils. These materials, derived from renewable sources, offer sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived polymers, aligning with the principles of Green Chemistry. The proposal involves performing epoxidation and acrylation reactions on vegetable oils using methodologies previously developed by the research group. From the acrylated monomers obtained, photosensitive resins will be formulated, whose properties will be optimized for application in 3D printing by photopolymerization. Resin performance will be evaluated considering parameters such as viscosity, curing time under UV radiation, double bond conversion, and print quality, including part resolution and definition. Material characterization will be performed using thermal analysis (TG-DTA and DSC), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), the latter used to confirm structural modifications during the epoxidation and acrylation stages. Working curves (Jacobs Working Curve) will be constructed to optimize printing parameters. Furthermore, the combination of modified vegetable oils with acrylic polyurethanes will be investigated to formulate resins with vitrimeric properties. This work is expected to develop renewable resins with technical performance comparable to or superior to commercial resins, promoting more sustainable solutions for additive manufacturing. (AU)