Abstract
In this paper, we report on the synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight copolyesters from Terephthalic acid, 1, 4 butane diol and Succinic acid /Sebacic acid through a two step process of melt polycondensation using titanium tetra butoxide as catalyst. The synthesized aromatic-aliphatic random copolyesters were characterized by means of FTIR, 1H NMR,13C NMR, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) studies. The effect of copolymer composition on the physical and thermal properties as well as degradation test was investigated. The degradation test was carried out in alkali medium. The phase behaviour of the polymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarising microscopy. The results revealed that the newly synthesized copolyesters exhibited degradability and thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour with nematic texture which was revealed by optical polarising microscopy. The Novelty of this work is that the glass transition temperature and melting temperature are above the room temperature for the synthesized polymers. This shows the good thermal stability which results in early processing of liquid crystalline materials.
Highlights
Polymers have contributed tremendously to human life from simple household items to high technological applications
The chemical shift values observed from 1H NMR spectra of the copolyesters of PBSBT and PBSeBT are as follows: A singlet at δ = 8.1-8.06 ppm was due to aromatic protons of Terephthalic group, multiplet at δ = 4.02-4.05 ppm was due to the protons of –CO-OCH2- group, and multiplet at δ = 1.48-1.34 ppm was due to methylene protons of 1,4 butane diol (Figs.2a & 2b)
The Aliphatic-aromatic random Liquid crystalline biodegradable Copolyesters were synthesized from sebacic acid/ succinic acid, Terephthalic acid and 1,4-butanediol by a two-step melt polycondensation, transesterification in the bulk using Titanium tetra butoxide as catalyst at 210oC under reduced pressure
Summary
Polymers have contributed tremendously to human life from simple household items to high technological applications. The amount of plastic wastes has increased all over the world, which threatens to cause a serious environmental problem and has become a matter of great concern to the people throughout the world including scientists from different countries. Some steps such as reducing the use of plastic products and recycling the plastic waste have been taken to solve this problem. The limitation of these polyesters is due to low thermal and mechanical properties. Copolymerization 10,11 and blending 12,13 with aromatic polyesters to modify the properties of aliphatic polyesters are better choices in both mechanical and thermal aspects. A study shows that there is degradability for aromatic polyesters when they are copolymerised with aliphatic
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