Effect of Catalyst on Preparation and Properties of PBT / PTMG Poly(ether ester)

Abstract

Taking dimethyl terephthalate(DMT), 1, 4-butylene glycol(BG) and polytetrahydrofuran(PTMG) as main raw materials, a series of PBT/PTMG poly(ether ester) thermoplastic elastomers were prepared with catalysts of tetrabutyl titanate, tetrabutyl titanate/magnesium acetat, tetrapropyl-zirconium and zinc acetate/antimony trioxide respectively. The effect of catalysts on the transesterification rate of the synthesis process, the molecular weight distribution, crystallinity, mechanical properties and heat resistance of the synthesized materials were mainly concerned. The synthesized thermoplastic elastomers were characterized by means of SEM, GPC, DSC, TG and mechanical testing. The results show that:while taking tetrabutyl titanate/magnesium acetate as catalyst, with the increasing amount of the catalyst,the transesterification rate increased, and the molecular weight and crystallinity increased, the molecular weight distribution index decreased, the toughness enhanced and the thermal decomposition temperature was above 390℃ for the synthesized thermoplastic elastomer.