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Synthesis, characterization and properties of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate)‐ block ‐poly(propylene glycol) segmented copolyesters
Author(s) -
Huang Xi,
Li Chuncheng,
Zheng Liuchun,
Zhang Dong,
Guan Guohu,
Xiao Yaonan
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.2609
Subject(s) - materials science , differential scanning calorimetry , polybutylene succinate , crystallinity , glass transition , ether , thermogravimetric analysis , gel permeation chromatography , thermoplastic elastomer , condensation polymer , polymer chemistry , elastomer , dynamic mechanical analysis , biodegradation , polyester , thermoplastic , polymer , copolymer , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , physics , thermodynamics
Abstract BACKGROUND: To obtain a biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer, a series of poly(ester‐ether)s based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), with various mass fractions and molecular weights of PPG, were synthesized through melt polycondensation. RESULTS: The copolyesters were characterized using 1 H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, mechanical testing and enzymatic degradation. The results indicated that poly(ester‐ether)s with high molecular weights were successfully synthesized. The composition of the copolyesters agreed very well with the feed ratio. With increasing content of the soft PPG segment, the glass transition temperature decreased gradually while the melting temperature, the crystallization temperature and the relative degree of crystallinity decreased. Mechanical testing demonstrated that the toughness of PBS was improved significantly. The elongation at break of the copolyesters was 2–5 times that of the original PBS. Most of the poly(ester‐ether) specimens were so flexible that they were not broken in Izod impact experiments. At the same time, the enzymatic degradation rate of PBS was enhanced. Also, the difference in molecular weight of PPG led to properties being changed to some extent among the copolyesters. CONCLUSION: The synthesized poly(ester‐ether)s having excellent flexibility and biodegradability extend the application of PBS into the areas where biodegradable thermoplastic elastomers are needed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry