Abstract
Poly(butylene succinate- co-butylene adipate) was obtained from 1,4-butanediol and dimethyl esters of succinic and adipic acids through a two step process of transesterification and polycondensation. High molecular weight polyesters were synthesized using hexamethylene diisocyanate as chain extender. The effect of chain extension reaction time and chain extender content on polyester molecular weight, thermal and mechanical properties, was investigated. Polyesters were characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), viscosity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and mechanical property measurements. Chain extension reaction had as a result the significant increase of polyester molecular weight leading to increased tensile strength. Polyester crystallinity, as calculated from XRD and DSC analysis, and melting temperature decreased upon chain extension, while glass transition temperature increased. Polyester biodegradation was investigated by soil burial and enzymatic hydrolysis using the enzyme Pseudomonas fluorescens cholesterol esterase. It appears that biodegradation was affected by polyester crystallinity, rather than by its molecular weight.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
