Development of biodegradable polymer blends in urea / melamine / formaldehyde / polyols system for applications as coating of agrochemicals

Abstract

New technological viabilities have aroused interest in the academic and industrial spheres. However, it is desired to focus on sustainable alternatives for the dissemination of new polymer systems derived from vegetable oils, presenting a new approach to reactions, synthesis parameters, structures and chemical properties. Thus, this proposal focuses on preparation of a polymer formulation (in the form of a blend or copolymer) from castor oil (polyol) as a co-reactant in the polymerization process of urea-melamine-formaldehyde resin (UMF). The crosslinking potential between polyol and condensation polymer would increase the plasticity of UMF system by generating a new biodegradable source of N and adequate for fertilizers coating. The materials will be investigated from polycondensation reactions, being characterized by thermal analysis such as thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as well as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The ability of crosslinking between polyol and UMF system will be investigated in order to understand how the polyol can act as a plasticizer in this system (fragile system). After optimizing the formulations, thin film production and deposition tests will be performed on fertilizer granules, analyzing their ability to act as a barrier to solubilization of agrochemicals.