The project concerns biobased polymeric coatings obtained from non-edible oils through photoinduced click reactions. Research aims are a) preparation of sustainable coatings from biomass through ecofriendly, solvent free reactions induced by light b) study of the coatings by NMR spectroscopy to determine their fine structure and correlate it with their properties. The expected outcomes of the project are: 1) obtaining sustainable coatings: given the concerns on waste recycling and availability of raw materials, the reactions developed will be applied on waste cooking oils 2) understanding polymer architecture by spectroscopic analyses and establishing structure–property relationships: polymer architecture manipulation will be used as a design principle for novel materials. To implement the research, polymers are prepared by thiol-ene chemistry, employing pristine unsaturated oils and multifunctional thiols. Also azide-alkyne reactions, which have not been explored in oleo-chemistry, are studied: novel oils derivatives with azide groups and homologues with triple bonds are synthesized on purpose by addition reactions on epoxidized oil. Properties of the thiol-ene and azide-alkyne networks (e.g., thermal and mechanical properties) are characterized. While polymers morphology and topology are investigated by solid-state NMR, to elucidate their chemical architecture.

M.Sc. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Materials Engineering are preferred. Skills concerning synthesis and characterisation of polymers are required.

The candidate will develop the project in the PolyMat team, focussed on sustainable thermoset polymers & composites, in the form of films, fibers and 3D printed objects. Innovation to the field is brought by the choice of chemistries allowing reduction of energy consumption (photoinduced processes), applying the Green Chemistry guidelines (e.g., eliminating solvents, using water-based systems, replacing toxic/hazardous chemicals with safer ones), the reversibility of the curing to recycle the polymeric network, the choice of biobased and/or recycled precursors and . PolyMat is a multicultural group (6 international PhD), with long experience in facilitating integration of foreign students.