Bio-based vinyl and acryl furan monomers and polymers

Background
Synthetic polymers are ubiquitous, finding wide-ranging applications far beyond use in plastics and packaging. For example, vinyl and acryl polymers are extensively utilised in the preparation of high-performance coatings, adhesive, sealants and elastomers, and thus present in products we are in contact with on a daily basis. However, the vast majority of vinyl and acryl polymers are derived from non-renewable fossil resources and therefore have a detrimental carbon impact and long-term supply concerns. Biomass derived vinyl and acryl polymers are of significant commercial interest on the basis of improved carbon impact. The challenge is preparing vinyl and acryl polymers from biomass of appropriate performance, whilst also ensuring the chosen pathways of production are both sustainable and scalable. Prior research into bio-based vinyl and acryl polymers typically proceeds via non-catalytic wasteful reactions and in many instances fails to exploit the high chemical functionality of bio-based chemicals.

Project Objectives
1. Demonstrate vinyl and acryl furans, derivable from biomass, can be used as appropriate substitutes for current petrochemical monomers such as styrene and acrylates in chain-growth polymerisation
2. Develop new synthetic pathways, applying catalysis for the optimised synthesis of target bio-based monomers
3. Progress the use of bio-based polymers in coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers, working alongside the project's industry partner Synthomer
4. Scope commercialisation pathways for the most promising candidates you have prepared

Experimental approach
The project will address the above objective via synthesis of a range of different bio-derivable vinyl and acryl furans monomers at lab-scale, allowing for preliminary assessment of their use in emulsion and solvent-phase chain-growth polymerisation. Where appropriate, the project will seek to develop catalytic approaches for the preparation of some monomers. The project will characterise lab-scale polymers and select those with the most promising properties for use in coatings, adhesives, sealants, and/or elastomers. The project will select further target monomers and polymers based upon ease of synthesis and preliminary property data you have gathered from your earlier results. Scale-up of the synthesis (>500 g) for the leading monomers and polymers will take place in the latter half of the project, and data gathered on their performance in relevant applications as tested by Synthomer.

Novelty and impact
This project will provide fundamental insights into the suitability of using furan-containing monomers in synthesis of novel vinyl and acryl chain-growth polymers. The project will address a gap in the systematic understanding of the role of different functional groups present on furan monomers has on ultimate polymer performance. This study will also address a gap in the effective application of catalytic methods for the synthesis of vinyl and acryl furan polymers. Ultimately, we seek to commercialise these new sustainable materials, potentially bringing new products to market and seeding a new generation of high bio-content polymers.