BIODEST research was focused on: a) the preparation of monomers (WP1) and polyesters (WP2) using green chemistry approaches, b) the investigation of their structure, thermal and mechanical properties as a function of their chemical structure (WP3), and, c) the design of new materials for industrial (packaging) (WP4) and biomedical applications (WP5). All WPs finished all promised deliverables and reached all the milestones promised.
In WP1, BIODEST designed new routes to produce functional low molecular weight molecules using renewable sources such as CO2, monomers from the biomass (Eucalyptus, Poplar, flax) or monomers from polymer recycling, as well as small biobased molecules that can act as nucleating agents for polyesters (Ma+D, UMONS, and UNIGE).
In WP2, BIODEST used the biobased monomers obtained in WP1 and others to prepare biodegradable polyesters and copolyesters by solvent-free (i.e. green) polymerization (UoB, UMONS, UTulane, and UPV/EHU). So, a new library of biobased and biodegradable plastic materials has been obtained in this project.
To compete with commercially available plastics, in WP3, we analyzed the relationship between the structure and the properties of biodegradable polyesters, copolyesters, and their blends (UPV/EHU, USB, UNIGE, and ICCAS). The properties of the produced polymers were tailored by changing copolymer composition, blend composition, adding nucleating agents and other additives, or by changing thermal history.
In WP4, the possibility of substituting traditional oil-based polymers, like polyethylene and polypropylene, with biodegradable alternatives in fields like packaging, water bottles, and plastic bags was explored. In this sense, polyester-based blends and nanocomposites were the most successful materials prepared (UPV/EHU, USB, ICCAS, and UNIGE).
Finally, some of the new polyesters/copolyester formulations may find applications in nanomedicine due to their biodegradability and the utilization of “green” polymerization methods. Thus, in WP5, self-assembly, gels, and drug delivery applications were explored (UoB and SU).
In conclusion, biodegradable polyester/copolyesters adequately formulated through green chemistry have a very high potential to substitute non-biodegradable plastics for specific applications (i.e. packaging, mulch films, bottles, adhesives) and also can be helpful in preparing unique materials for biomedical applications (bioabsorbable materials, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering).
