Abstract
Poly(ethylene succinate) (PES), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and poly(hexylene succinate) (PHS), were synthesized using succinic acid and different dihydric alcohols as materials. Enzymatic degradability by cutinase of the three kinds of polyesters was studied, as well as their solid-state properties. The biodegradation behavior relied heavily on the distance between ester groups, crystallinity, and the hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity balance of polyester surfaces. The weight loss through degradation of the three kinds of polyesters with different hydroxyl monomers took place in the order PHS > PBS > PES. The degradation behavior of the polyesters before and after degradation was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and thermogravimetric analysis. The decrease in relative intensity at 1800–1650 estedpolyesters were degraded simultaneously. The frequencies of the crystalline and amorphous bands were almost identical before and after degradation. Thus, enzymatic degradation did not change the crystalline structure but destroyed it, and the degree of crystallinity markedly decreased. The molecular weight and polydispersity index only changed slightly. The thermal stability of the three kinds of polyesters decreased during enzymatic degradation.
Highlights
Given that energy and environmental problems are currently attracting considerable attention, the use of traditional and non-biodegradable plastics—Including polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and low-density PE—Is severely restricted
Both reported that aliphatic polyesters with six carbon atoms and Bikiaris et al both reported that aliphatic polyesters with six carbon atoms are most swiftly aredegraded, most swiftly and biodegradability with decreasing numbers groups of methylene anddegraded, biodegradability decreases withdecreases decreasing numbers of methylene between groups between esterIngroups
This work focused on the differences in enzymatic degradation among three kinds of aliphatic polyesters with various hydroxyl monomers
Summary
Given that energy and environmental problems are currently attracting considerable attention, the use of traditional and non-biodegradable plastics—Including polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and low-density PE—Is severely restricted. Biodegradable polymers are increasingly receiving attention as potential candidates for green materials. Aliphatic polyesters exhibit remarkable physicochemical properties, mechanical properties, and processability, which are comparable with those of PP and PE. (PES), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate), poly(hexylene succinate) (PHS), and poly(hexylene adipate) are some of the most promising biodegradable polymer materials in the field [1,2,3,4,5]. PES, PBS, and PHS have favorable biodegradability and biocompatibility, and they are widely used in films; injection-molded products; and clothing, pharmaceutical, medical, and biomedical industries [6,7,8].
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