Biobased waterborne, tough hyperbranched polyester thermosets as environmentally benign polymeric materials

Abstract

ABSTRACTHigh‐performing water‐dispersible polyester synthesized under facile and ecofriendly reaction conditions has gained substantial interest because it has zero volatile organic compounds and is nontoxic. However, such polyester suffers from poor mechanical performance, so it is unsuitable for modern applications. In the present study, we focused on synthesis of a water‐dispersible polyester that contains aromatic and aliphatic moieties in the polymer backbone and can be readily synthesized from biobased and well‐defined reactants. We have synthesized water‐dispersible hyperbranched polyesters using three different weight percents of glycerol‐based hyperbranched polyol as a branch‐generating moiety containing both aromatic and aliphatic units along with citric acid, poly(ethylene glycol), and 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid through a solvent‐, catalyst‐, and neutralizing agent‐free facile route. The chemical structures of these polyesters were elucidated using various instrumental analyses. Hyperbranched epoxy and poly(amido amine) cured thermosets of these polyesters exhibited high tensile strength, toughness, impact resistance, scratch resistance, high gloss, biodegradability, and good chemical resistance without much effect on their elongation at break. Therefore, this high‐performing, sustainable, tough water‐dispersible thermosetting polyester has strong potential as an environmentally friendly polymeric material. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46738.