Advanced materials, catalysts and solvents
iPRACS offers technological development related to (patented) long chain condensation monomers and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), next to technology transfer of an innovative, patented algae filtering technology.
Long chain condensation monomers
The synthesis of bio-based compounds from renewable resources is currently intensively studied by researchers from both academia and industry. Unsaturated free fatty acids are a unique feedstock for the production of chemical building blocks for three reasons: (1) they contain a long sequence of methylene groups, (2) carboxylic groups are suitable functional groups for further modifications, (3) the presence of one or multiple double bonds enables their post modification and the generation of additional functional groups. Based on free fatty acids derivatives novel bi-functional compounds were synthesized to produce new types of bioplastics with design properties.
Condensation polymers are very attractive as they offer high flexibility with respect to design of properties. Polyesters, polycarbonates, but also polyamides and polyurethanes are examples of said materials with a high application level in the daily life. They also intrinsically offer the opportunity of easy chemical recycling into the constituting building blocks. However they have the drawback that a lot of the actual monomers are not sustainable as they are derived from petroleum. Also the actual availability of monomers is limited and the presence of the functional/coupling unit induces always a certain degree of humidity sensitivity. The problem with biodegradability is also an important issue.
A novel class of bio-based monomers has been realized starting from fatty acid derivatives, thus dealing in this way with the sustainability issue. The design is based on a coupling reaction between green substrates using green catalysts and delivers diols, di-acids and di-amines. The method of production is green and allows to realize in a flexible way different chain length. Properties of these materials are at this moment benchmarked to related commercial available (if present) monomers, the latter having high market prices. The products have high stability, also oxidative, thus overcoming for example the instability of unsaturated compounds.
A first series of model polyesters was synthesized using both the conventional and the novel monomers (typically C-18). The polymeric materials were analyzed and characterized. They show tunable melting point, high level of hydrophobicity as they are long chain based and show tunable solubility and flexibility/hardness/penetration.
Applications are expected in new (biodegradable) coatings, biodegradable alternatives to petroleum based waxes, casings for electronics (dimensional stability and water repellency), fibers, but in general the novel monomers are also interesting as co-monomer in copolymers for different applications. The monomers as such (or derived oligomers) bear also reactive end groups that can make then interesting for surface reactions, pigment coating/stabilization. Amphiphilic nature can be induced resulting in emulsifiers and texture promoting agents. They can also be used as hydrophobizing agent, wax spray for different applications and they can also be a major ingredient for thermally stable lubricants.
Please contact Dr. Lukasz Pazdur (lukasz.pazdur@uantwerpen.be) to get information about this service.
NADES formulations
Given the expertise gained by studying natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for biocatalytic reactions, we are able to a priori estimate the behavior of these solvents and assist in their formulations, tuned for your (bio)chemical process. The use of NADES may be beneficial in those applications where their bio-benign properties are a must, or where synergistically one of their constituents is already a reagent. In this respect, think about food and feed applications, were solvent residues are problematic, or in pharmaceuticals, where sugar-based NADES might be integrated into the final formulations. At the current stage of the research, we offer consulting expertise, as well as co-development of processes.
Please contact Prof. Pieter Billen (pieter.billen@uantwerpen.be) to obtain more information of this service.
Active filtering technology for algae harvesting
The commercial cultivation of microalgae is a rapidly growing industry worldwide. The main technical challenge nowadays is harvesting the microalgae, as centrifugation and classic filtration come with high cost. The University of Antwerp has developed a novel method to enable a more efficient harvesting, based on filtration combined with algae cake removal using a magnet brush. More
Please contact Prof. Serge Tavernier (serge.tavernier@uantwerpen.be) if you are interested in active filtering technology for algae harvesting.