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Single‐step solution polymerization of poly(alkylene terephthalate)s: synthesis parameters and polymer characterization
Author(s) -
Giol Elena Diana,
Van den Brande Niko,
Van Mele Bruno,
Van Vlierberghe Sandra,
Dubruel Peter
Publication year - 2018
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.5508
Subject(s) - condensation polymer , polyester , materials science , monomer , dispersity , polymer , polymer chemistry , polymerization , prepolymer , dimethyl terephthalate , catalysis , ethylene , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , composite material , chemistry , polyurethane , engineering
Poly(alkylene terephthalate)s represent one of the most frequently used polymer classes worldwide. Well‐known examples include poly(ethylene terephthalate) ( n = 2) and poly(butylene terephthalate) ( n = 4). The conventional synthesis method for these polymers is based on melt polycondensation, a two‐stage process performed under harsh conditions that includes the synthesis of an intermediate prepolymer and the presence of a catalyst, which may induce toxicity issues. The present work reports on a straightforward single‐step solution polycondensation method performed under mild conditions and in the absence of a catalyst. A homologous series of poly(alkylene terephthalate)s ( n = 5 − 10) of molar masses up to 20 000 g mol −1 and dispersity <2.4 was synthesized and characterized thoroughly. Great attention was given to the thermal properties assessment by using state‐of‐the‐art techniques and a highly sensitive prototype technique called rapid heat − cool DSC. Similar to melt‐synthesized polyesters, a particular odd − even trend of the thermal properties versus the number of methylene groups within the monomer unit was revealed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report covering a single‐step solution‐based polycondensation performed in the absence of a catalyst that results in highly reproducible polyesters possessing unaltered thermal properties compared to polyesters synthesized through industrially applied conventional routes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry