Abstract
A new biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic poly (butylene carbonate-co-terephthalate) (PBCT-85) with the molar ratio [BC]/[BT] = 85/15, successfully synthesized through transesterification and polycondensation processes, was identified using 1H-NMR spectra. Various weight ratios of PBCT/organically modified layered zinc phenylphosphonate (m-PPZn) nanocomposites were manufactured using the solution mixing process. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the morphology of PBCT-85/m-PPZn nanocomposites. Both results exhibited that the stacking layers of m-PPZn were intercalated into the PBCT-85 polymer matrix. The additional m-PPZn into PBCT-85 copolymer matrix significantly enhanced the storage modulus at −70 °C, as compared to that of neat PBCT-85. The lipase from Pseudomonas sp. was used to investigate the enzymatic degradation of PBCT-85/m-PPZn nanocomposites. The weight loss decreased as the loading of m-PPZn increased, indicating that the existence of m-PPZn inhibits the degradation of the PBCT-85 copolymers. This result might be attributed to the higher degree of contact angle for PBCT-85/m-PPZn nanocomposites. The PBCT-85/m-PPZn composites approved by MTT assay are appropriate for cell growth and might have potential in the application of biomedical materials.
Highlights
Aliphatic polycarbonates (APCs) prepared by copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides or the ring-opening polymerization method have attracted lots of interest as biodegradable polymers, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity [1,2,3,4]
The PBCT with molar ratio of butylene carbonate (BC) to butylene terephthalate (BT) was 85:15, which was synthesized via transesterification and polycondensation; the resulting product is hereinafter designated as PBCT-85
wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results revealed that the intercalated conformations are formed for the PBCT-85/modified PPZn (m-PPZn) nanocomposites
Summary
Aliphatic polycarbonates (APCs) prepared by copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides or the ring-opening polymerization method have attracted lots of interest as biodegradable polymers, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity [1,2,3,4]. APCs, poly (butylene carbonate) (PBC) has received significant attention owing to its promising comprehensive properties and competitive cost [5,6]. The low melting temperature and a slow crystallization rate of PBC could restrict its application. In accordance with previous studies, the incorporation of aromatic ester monomer into PBC backbone to synthesize the poly(carbonate-co-ester)s with random chain conformation could change the physical properties of PBC [7,8]. It was reported that the crystallization behavior of PBA could be enhanced by copolymerizing with aromatic polyesters [9]
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