Descrizione del progetto
Plastiche «più ecologiche» a base di oli essenziali di piante e alberi
Risulta difficile immaginarci le nostre vite prima dell’uso dilagante della plastica e, a sua volta, la sua eliminazione sarebbe alquanto complicata. Notevoli attività di ricerca si stanno dedicando allo sviluppo di polimeri biocompatibili alternativi a quelli tradizionalmente realizzati da idrocarburi derivati da combustibili fossili, quali il polietilene, il polipropilene e il poliestere. Ciò attenuerebbe la dipendenza da risorse di combustibili fossili in diminuzione, aumentando la riciclabilità e la biodegradabilità e riducendo l’impatto della plastica su ambiente ed ecosistemi. Il progetto SUPREME, finanziato dall’UE, promuoverà tale agenda tramite la realizzazione di polimeri sintetizzati da terpeni, ovvero molecole di idrocarburi naturali presenti negli oli essenziali di piante, avvalendosi di catalizzatori economici e rispettosi dell’ambiente.
Obiettivo
Synthetic polymers derived from petrochemical products are essential for the production of a wide range of consumer products. The demand for more sustainable and renewable monomers and polymers is currently increasing, because fossil feedstock will become scarce in future times, and the global legislation is putting an increasing stress on the use of certain monomers used in the polymer industry. The aliphatic polyesters represent one of the most appealing type of bioplastic materials, because of their general biocompatibility and facile hydrolytic degradation and, in this ambit, the use of terpenes as monomers or monomer-precursors is largely unexplored. The primary objective of this project, is the creation of new polyester formulations based on renewable and accessible terpene monomers to answer to the growing need for future generations of more functional and sustainable materials. Three renewable monomers have been selected, two derived from camphor and a new one from β-elemene. Structurally new polyesters will be synthesized by ring opening (co)polymerization of these monomers, using catalytic systems based on cheap and health-friendly metals (Fe, Al). The use of the new β-elemene based monomer will incorporate vinylic groups along the polymer chains, offering the possibility for post-modification of the obtained material. The success of the project is supported by the Experienced Researcher background in polymer synthesis with the Host experience in the discovery and catalytic valorization of new terpene scaffolds. The action will take place in an interdisciplinary and international environment, granting to the Experienced Researcher a solid train in scientific and soft skills needed for his future career. The results of the action will have a strong impact on the society, giving the opportunity to asses circular economy on a highly impact industrial sector, such as that of bio-polymers.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinatore
43007 Tarragona
Spagna