Abstract
Poly(2,5-alkylene furanoate)s are bio-based, smart, and innovative polymers that are considered the most promising materials to replace oil-based plastics. These polymers can be synthesized using ecofriendly approaches, starting from renewable sources, and result into final products with properties comparable and even better than those presented by their terephthalic counterparts. In this work, we present the molecular dynamics of four 100% bio-based poly(alkylene 2,5-furanoate)s, using broadband dielectric spectroscopy measurements that covered a wide temperature and frequency range. We unveiled complex local relaxations, characterized by the simultaneous presence of two components, which were dependent on thermal treatment. The segmental relaxation showed relaxation times and strengths depending on the glycolic subunit length, which were furthermore confirmed by high-frequency experiments in the molten region of the polymers. Our results allowed determining structure–property relations that are able to provide further understanding about the excellent barrier properties of poly(alkylene 2,5-furanoate)s. In addition, we provide results of high industrial interest during polymer processing for possible industrial applications of poly(alkylene furanoate)s.
Highlights
The study of dynamic processes in polymers and soft matter systems provides a deep insight into the different role of the molecular constituents into the final materials’ properties
We studied the molecular dynamics of both fast-cooled samples, similar to those previously reported, as well as samples slow-cooled from the molten state, which might correspond to possible industrial processing conditions
We have studied the local and segmental molecular dynamics of the poly(alkylene furanoate) family by broadband dielectric spectroscopy
Summary
The study of dynamic processes in polymers and soft matter systems provides a deep insight into the different role of the molecular constituents into the final materials’ properties. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) is among the most well-established experimental techniques used for these studies, as shown by its extensive use in the past decades [1,2]. BDS allows probing the dipole reorientations and/or charge motions taking place within a sample when subjected to an AC electric field. The application of BDS has been extended to perform simultaneous structural studies by its integration in big facilities as synchrotron and neutron scattering lines [3]. There have been several successful developments for the measurement of BDS at the nanoscale [4]
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