Research Article

Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties

Volume: 12 Number: 3 September 30, 2026

Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties

Abstract

In this study, a novel vanillin-derived aromatic monomer was synthesized and enzymatically polymerized to obtain a functional polymer with enhanced structural and thermal characteristics. The monomer containing an azomethine linkage (V-DEPDA) was first prepared by condensing vanillin with N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine, isolated from its oxalate salt. Subsequently, the monomer was subjected to oxidative polymerization using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/H2O2 catalytic system, yielding a conjugated aromatic polymer, P(V-DEPDA). The structural features of the synthesized monomer and polymer were elucidated by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. FT-IR and 1H NMR confirmed the successful formation of azomethine bonds and structural shifts post-polymerization, resulting from multi-fractional chain growth. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) analysis verified macromolecular formation, yielding a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 3300 g/mol and a remarkably narrow polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.36. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examined the surface morphology. Thermal properties, weight loss percentages, and decomposition behavior were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. P(V-DEPDA) exhibited exceptional improvements in thermal stability, with the onset decomposition temperature (Ton) shifting from 208 °C (monomer) to 370 °C (polymer) and the char yield at 1000 °C increasing dramatically from 6.3% to 41.4%. These results demonstrate that this eco-friendly enzymatic route successfully yields highly robust, carbon-dense Schiff base polymers that are promising for high-temperature and sustainable applications. Overall, this study expands the scope of HRP-catalyzed polymerization by successfully converting a custom bio-based Schiff base monomer into a highly conjugated functional polymer framework.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

No approval from the Board of Ethics is required.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Polymerisation Mechanisms

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 8, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 21, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 3

APA
Temizkan Ozdamar, K. (2026). Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties. Journal of Advanced Research in Natural and Applied Sciences, 12(3), 349-363. https://doi.org/10.28979/jarnas.1990365
AMA
1.Temizkan Ozdamar K. Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties. JARNAS. 2026;12(3):349-363. doi:10.28979/jarnas.1990365
Chicago
Temizkan Ozdamar, Kevser. 2026. “Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties”. Journal of Advanced Research in Natural and Applied Sciences 12 (3): 349-63. https://doi.org/10.28979/jarnas.1990365.
EndNote
Temizkan Ozdamar K (September 1, 2026) Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties. Journal of Advanced Research in Natural and Applied Sciences 12 3 349–363.
IEEE
[1]K. Temizkan Ozdamar, “Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties”, JARNAS, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 349–363, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.28979/jarnas.1990365.
ISNAD
Temizkan Ozdamar, Kevser. “Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties”. Journal of Advanced Research in Natural and Applied Sciences 12/3 (September 1, 2026): 349-363. https://doi.org/10.28979/jarnas.1990365.
JAMA
1.Temizkan Ozdamar K. Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties. JARNAS. 2026;12:349–363.
MLA
Temizkan Ozdamar, Kevser. “Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties”. Journal of Advanced Research in Natural and Applied Sciences, vol. 12, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 349-63, doi:10.28979/jarnas.1990365.
Vancouver
1.Kevser Temizkan Ozdamar. Enzymatic Synthesis of a Partially Bio-Based Schiff Base Polymer: Evaluation of Structural, Morphological, and Thermal Properties. JARNAS. 2026 Sep. 1;12(3):349-63. doi:10.28979/jarnas.1990365

 

 

 

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SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)    34270

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