Background

Nowadays the applications of polymers are countless but sometimes they do not possess intrinsic properties to allow them to be used in specific applications. It is therefore expected that the next generation of polymers will consist of post-modified polymers, that is, polymers where surface or internal properties are changed through post-modification. The main techniques for modifying polymers are curing, cross-linking and grafting. Grafting leads to the formation of covalent bonds between a polymer and a chemical compound that can impart special characteristics (antimicrobial, hydrophobic, etc.).

Technology Overview

The developed technology (TRL 6) allows to impart selected characteristics to polymers through grafting of specific compounds. Reactions may be carried out in very mild conditions such as short time in aqueous solution or commonly used organic solvents. The innovation of this technology consists both in the chemical active agent employed and in the grafting process. The developed grafting process is triggered by a new class of active agents that lead to the formation of strong amide and ester bonds. At the end of the grafting reaction the active agent is easily removed and can be regenerated.

Grafting reactions can lead to a different degree of condensation depending on the properties of the modified polymer. Some of the characteristics that can be obtained with this technology are hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, antimicrobial, luminescence.

Benefits

Pre-selection of final polymer properties
Easy to apply grafting reaction for polymer modification
Environmental and economic sustainability of polymer modification

Applications

Bio-polymer modification
Hydrophobic or hydrophilic polymers
Antifouling polymers
Antimicrobial polymers

Opportunity

Open to collaborative projects to further develop and commercialize the technology and/or to license it out.

Non-releasing Grafted Polymer with Enhanced Properties

Seeking