Abstract
Biopolymers are gaining increasing importance as substitutes for plastics derived from fossil fuels, especially for packaging applications. In particular, furanoate-based polyesters appear as the most credible alternative due to their intriguing physic/mechanical and gas barrier properties. In this study, block copolyesters containing 2,5-furan and trans-1,4-cyclohexane moieties were synthesized by reactive blending, starting from the two parent homopolymers: poly(propylene furanoate) (PPF) and poly(propylene cyclohexanedicarboxylate) (PPCE). The whole range of molecular architectures, from long block to random copolymer with a fixed molar composition (1:1 of the two repeating units) was considered. Molecular, thermal, tensile, and gas barrier properties of the prepared materials were investigated and correlated to the copolymer structure. A strict dependence of the functional properties on the copolymers’ block length was found. In particular, short block copolymers, thanks to the introduction of more flexible cyclohexane-containing co-units, displayed high elongation at break and low elastic modulus, thus overcoming PPF’s intrinsic rigidity. Furthermore, the exceptionally low gas permeabilities of PPF were further improved due to the concomitant action of the two rings, both capable of acting as mesogenic groups in the presence of flexible aliphatic units, and thus responsible for the formation of 1D/2D ordered domains, which in turn impart outstanding barrier properties.
Highlights
IntroductionThe decline of petroleum reserves, the fluctuating price of petroleum based products, and the stringent environmental regulations due to severe environmental pollution and waste management issues have prompted the use of chemicals derived from renewable resources in both scientific and industrial communities [1,2,3]
At present, polymers and plastics are mostly obtained from fossil sources
Biopolymers are gaining increasing importance as substitutes for plastics derived from fossil fuels, especially for packaging applications
Summary
The decline of petroleum reserves, the fluctuating price of petroleum based products, and the stringent environmental regulations due to severe environmental pollution and waste management issues have prompted the use of chemicals derived from renewable resources in both scientific and industrial communities [1,2,3]. A shift towards the use of biomass for the production of polymers would reduce the contribution to the greenhouse effect, and preserve mineral resources for future generations. In Western industrial countries, 50 percent of all goods are packaged in plastics [4]. Without the various available packaging solutions, many sensitive goods would waste away or get damaged en route to the customer. Because of the growing concern and awareness on sustainability, the development and use of bioplastics for food packaging has become of great interest from an industrial point of view
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