Project description
Synthesising sustainable bio-based non-isocyanate polyurethanes
Non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) are non-toxic green alternatives to polyurethanes used in medical devices, coatings, insulation and adhesives. However, their use in industrialisation presents challenges due to low molecular weight, poor reaction ability and high hydrophilicity, which degrades thermal-mechanical performance. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SPRUT project aims to synthesise sustainable NIPUs from bio-based materials and modify them for industrial applications. First, it will create an effective aluminium-based heteroscorpionate catalyst for the conversion of bio-based bisepoxides into 5-membered cyclic bicarbonates through CO2 fixation. Various methods will be used to increase the molecular weight of the resulting bicarbonate bio-compounds, which will provide feedstock for NIPUs. Finally, it will implement chemical modifications to reduce hydrophilicity.
Objective
This project is devoted to synthesis of non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPU) from bio-based sources and their post-modification towards industrial application. The use of bio-based monomers for NIPU synthesis allows to overcome the dependence on fossil resources and to reduce the CO2 emissions. However there are several possible drawbacks for industry such as high prices for bio-based monomers and demand for arable land to ensure large scale production.
NIPU were introduced in 1990s as the alternative to conventional polyurethanes because they allow to avoid usage of toxic isocyanates. However, they were not industrialised due to their insufficient molecular weights limited by reaction ability of monomers and increased hydrophilicity that facilitates hydrolysis during processing.
The SPRUT project will simultaneously deal with several NIPU related issues.
At first, the effective catalyst based on Al heteroscorpionate complexes for converting bio-based bisepoxides to 5-membered cyclic bicarbonates via CO2 addition will be developed. The obtained bicarbonate bio-compounds will be used as feedstock for production of NIPU applying various approaches to increase their MW above 20000 Da: synthesis in bulk, copolymerization of two different bicarbonates and the use of ionic liquids.
In the 2nd stage of the project, the unique method for post-synthetic modification of NIPU that was never used for these polymers will be introduced to increase their mechanical properties and processability. The basic click reaction of bio-based aldehydes (heptaldehyde and benzaldehyde) with adjacent hydroxyl groups in the NIPU backbone enables the reduction of intermolecular hydrogen bonding leading to better processability. The resulting aldehyde modified NIPUs containing non-polar side chains are supposed to be much more hydrophobic and possess increased physico-mechanical properties compared to previously developed NIPU and even some conventional PUs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aldehydes
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences polyurethane
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
4362 Esch Sur Alzette
Luxembourg
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