Published on October 8, 2026–Updated on October 8, 2026
Dates
on the September 23, 2026
résine
A team from the Nice Institute of Chemistry has developed bio-based resins capable of curing under ordinary white light. Made from natural terpenes, these materials form without the need for heat or a conventional photoinitiator. This approach paves the way for more energy-efficient processes for applications in adhesives and coatings. The research was published in the journal *Angewandte Chemie International Edition* in July 2026.
Thermosetting resins are central to many industrial applications, from adhesives to coatings, but their production still relies heavily on fossil resources and energy-intensive processes. A team from the Nice Institute of Chemistry (Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS), consisting of Sandra Olivero, Alice Mija, and Véronique Michelet, proposes an alternative by combining renewable raw materials with light activation.
The scientists have transformed molecules derived from natural terpenes, such as limonene and carvone, into bis-epoxide precursors capable of forming polymer networks. In the presence of an anhydride and a small amount of imidazole, these compounds cure upon simple irradiation with white light, without the need for heating or conventional photoinitiators.
Beyond providing energy, light modifies the mechanism by which epoxides open and leads to a specific organization of the polymer network. The material obtained from limonene is notable for its transparency and mechanical performance, with tensile strength and deformability superior to those of a thermally cured material.
Initial tests as a wood adhesive and as a transparent coating confirm the potential of this approach. These results open up concrete prospects for the development of high-performance materials that are more sustainable and less energy-intensive.
