Modulating the T_g of Poly(alkylene succinate)s by Inserting Bio-Based Aromatic Units via Ring-Opening...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Organic Synthesis

Background:

• Development of novel biodegradable polymers is crucial for sustainable materials.
• Aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters offer tunable properties for diverse applications.
• Incorporation of furan and resorcinol moieties can impart unique characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters incorporating resorcinol.
• To investigate the thermal properties, microstructure, and hydrolytic degradation behavior of these new polymers.
• To explore the potential of these copolyesters as biodegradable materials.

Main Methods:

• Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic oligomers using Sn(Oct)₂ catalyst.
• Synthesis of cyclic oligomers via high-dilution condensation.
• Characterization using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized resorcinol-containing succinate-furanoate copolyesters with molecular weights between 30,000-50,000 g·mol⁻¹.
• Polymers exhibited a nearly random microstructure and excellent thermal stability (decomposition onset near 300 °C).
• Amorphous nature with glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from -30 °C to 45 °C, increasing with resorcinol content.
• Appreciable hydrolytic degradation observed under physiological conditions, enhanced by lipases.

Conclusions:

• Novel resorcinol-containing aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters were successfully synthesized.
• These materials demonstrate good thermal stability and tunable thermal properties.
• The observed hydrolytic degradation suggests potential for biodegradable applications.