Valorization of Forestry Derivatives into Functional Acrylic Polymers for Specific Applications

Identifier:  TFM:2125

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM2125

Authors:  Tirado Bermúdez, Alba

Abstract:
The depletion of fossil resources and its environmental impact has increased interest in sustainable materials. Consequently, biomass is being integrated as a renewable carbon source to produce valuable chemicals and materials. A bio-based acrylate (HAAC4) was prepared via ring-opening aminolysis and enzyme-catalyzed transesterification, followed by polymerization via SET-LRP. The resulting homopolymers exhibited characteristics of living radical polymerization. These monomers were used to create amphiphilic block copolymers that self-assemble into nanostructures, useful as surfactant stabilizers in emulsion polymerization of relevant hydrophobic monomers. HAAC4 can also be oxidized to create antimicrobial hydrogels, showcasing the potential of HAAC4 to prepare advanced materials.