[SCAN] NMR as a powerful tool to disclose the chemical features of complex plant polyesters

Title: NMR as a powerful tool to disclose the chemical features of complex plant polyesters

Speaker: Artur Bento

Abstract: Plant polyesters are promising materials for the development of “green” replacements of plastics. Cutin and suberin; polymers found ubiquitously in plants, are prime candidates for bioplastics development. We purified suberin from potato peels and cork/pine bark, and cutin from tomato/red pepper using an ionic-liquid catalysis that preserves their polymeric nature. Samples enriched in those plant polyesters were studied to identify “natural” structural features as their molecular structure, thermal properties and crystallinity by NMR, DSC and X-ray scattering methods, respectively. The future holds promise; we have started to learn how to tune specific properties of plant polyesters through genetic manipulation or through the selection of different source materials, supporting the development of materials for specific applications in the future.