Research Projects

Polymers are widely used due to their structural flexibility and versatility. However, 95% of commercial polymers are derived from fossilized carbon reserves, posing environmental and sustainability challenges. Natural bio-reserves, such as phenols and amines, can provide an alternative feedstock to reduce the carbon footprint. The global crisis is primarily affecting petro-based phenolic polymers, which are non-renewable. Natural phenols (NOP) like cardanol, guaiacol, vanillin, p-coumaric, caffeic acid, eugenol, tannins, and chemically modified renewable compounds can be used as substitutes. Polybenzoxazines (PBz) based on NOP can provide plasticization due to their long alkyl side chain and different functionalities on polymer properties. The project aims to address the petroleum crisis by using bio-based phenolic, amine, and aldehyde sources. This approach requires no high temperature synthesis, minimal solvent use, and no hazardous waste generation or catalyst use. The PBz monomer synthesis uses water as the waste product, and the process involves ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and cross-linking, resulting in no by-products. Green processing is also possible due to the solid nature of the monomers, their long shelf-life, and low temperatures required for polymerization.