Brazil. A new polymer that could be used to make resins used in epoxy coatings was developed by scientists at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, based on the isosorbidean substance, derived from corn glucose.
According to Luiz Henrique Catalani, principal investigator of the project, "this new polymer is important, both for being from biomass inputs and, therefore, being an alternative to petroleum derivatives, as well as for replacing bisphenol A in epoxy resins".
According to the researcher, the isosorbide compound is being banned for food because it is an estrogen mimic, but its use is valid as a plasticizing agent, including in epoxy resins as a polymer monomer.
"Formed by polymer networks, those structures that absorb water in large quantities (such as isosorbide) can act as intelligent curing agents, performing the controlled release of antibacterial or antifungal agents," Catalani said.
The development is patented by the researcher and two other scientists, who also reported that the compound could also be derived from other natural sources such as sugar cane.
This research was recognized with the Thomas Alva Edison Award 2011, given by the Research and Development Council of New Jersey, in the United States.
