We are pleased to announce that the Student and Doctoral Scientific Society of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering IPSUM running at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Rzeszów University of Technology under the supervision of Prof. Paweł Chmielarz became a beneficiary of the programme held by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education ‘Students Research Clubs creates innovation” for the third time. Within the third edition of the contest, IPSUM received funding in the amount of 69 844,00 PLN. The title of the awarded project is ,,Curcumin as a natural substitute for diols in the synthesis of innovative polyurethane materials modified with polymethacrylates for use as functional coatings”.
The project's main objective is to develop a methodology for synthesizing innovative, functional urethane-methacrylic copolymers using a non-toxic chemical compound of natural origin - curcumin, which will replace diols from non-renewable sources. Atom transfer radical polymerization technique will be used, in which a chemical reducing agent acts as a supplemental activator (SARA ATRP). The central premise of the project revolves around exploring curcumin as a photocatalyst in photoinduced ATRP (photo-ATRP). The project focuses on developing synthesis procedures using the principles of green chemistry and sustainable development. As part of these procedures, it is planned to use an environmentally friendly spice - curcumin, as a substrate for the synthesis of urethane-isocyanate prepolymer, and to use the minimum concentration of the catalytic complex in ATRP. Due to the complexity and extensiveness of the project, it includes several stages detailed in the schedule. Obtaining specialized properties of new polymer materials is crucial because it will enable the development of innovative polymer technologies with huge potential for applications in various fields, from the glue and paint industry, even to the medical industry.
Every student willing to become a part of a community of IPSUM Research Club is warmly welcomed – registration is open during the entire academic year.
Details:
Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego
Department of Physical Chemistry Rzeszow University of Technology News
