Lignin-derived bisguaiacol P vinyl ester as a bisphenol A-free resin alternative

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA)-based epoxy materials are widely used for their excellent adhesion and strong mechanical properties in applications such as food packaging and medical devices. However, due to BPA’s endocrine-disrupting effects, there is increasing pressure to find safe alternatives for applications involving human exposure. Here, we address the urgent need for a biocompatible, BPA-free monomer with similar physico-mechanical properties to bisphenol A-glycidyl dimethacrylate (BisGMA), a crucial component in dental composites. We demonstrate a safe-and-sustainable-by-design approach with a bio-derived alternative: the lignin-derived bisguaiacol P vinyl ester resin, BGPGMA. Our findings show that BGPGMA is a promising non-estrogenic BisGMA analog, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility and superior physico-mechanical properties both as a monomer and in BGPGMA-based composites. This proof-of-concept highlights BGPGMA’s potential as a viable replacement for BisGMA, particularly in dental composites, and sets the stage for the development of safer, bio-based resins for wider industrial applications, including epoxy and polycarbonate plastics, that require BPA-free alternatives. (Figure presented.)