Synthesis of functional bio-based polymers by precise introduction of cinnamic acids

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14681
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 35020:Polymer materials-related
• Research Institution: Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Takada Kenji 北陸先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 助教 (10772171)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 桂皮酸 / 光応答材料 / バイオベースポリマー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Coumaric acids which expected as natural or bio-derived monomers having the functional groups in its molecules were polymerized to develop functional materials. By adding coumaric acid to the polymerization system of polyamide, polyamide-esters having cinnamate units in the main chain structure were synthesized. m-Coumaric acid-based polyamide-esters showed convex deformation in response to ultraviolet light, indicating that the polymer has photoresponsive properties. When coumaric acid was introduced into the polymer chain end, it was confirmed that the polymer is end-functionalized, although quantification of the functionalization efficiency has not been achieved. Through this study, we have gained insight into the photoreactivity of coumaric acids and its correlation in the polymer structure.

Free Research Field

高分子化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでは主鎖型のポリクマル酸（ホモポリマー）で光変形の検討が行われていたが、本研究成果のように共重合でクマル酸が一部導入されたブロックポリマーであっても、同様の変形挙動を示すという事は新たな発見であり、今後クマル酸系ポリマーの光変形挙動と分子形態との関係解明において重要な知見となった。
光によって応答・変形する材料は、大掛かりな電源設備を要さずに材料の特性を著しく変化させることができるため、デバイスの小型化や省エネルギー化技術への応用が期待される。当研究で扱うクマル酸は、バイオベースで得られる物質でありこれらの材料化及び実用化は持続可能な開発に資するものである。