Novel coatings from renewable resources for the protection of bronzes

• Coatings from renewable resources for the protection of metals were prepared.
• Benzotriazole containing end-capped poly(lactic acid)s were synthesised and characterized.
• These polymers showed a very high stability to photochemical and thermo-hygrometric ageing.
• End-capped polymers are promising coatings for bronze.

End-capped poly(lactic acid)s with a benzotriazole moiety were synthesized by Ring Opening Polymerization of lactide, characterized by spectroscopic methods and tested as protective coatings on selected bronze surfaces. Performances of functionalized polymers were evaluated in terms of colour changes of the treated metal and stability of the coating. A comparison between end-capped polymers and a mixture of poly(lactic acid) and benzotriazole was also run. End-capped poly(lactic acid)s showed excellent stability to photochemical and thermo-hygrometric ageing and better performances than a blend of poly(lactic acid) and benzotriazole. These polymers show promising performances for metal's coating.

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