Terminal modified polyesters with improved tensile properties based on plasticization and π-π stacking effects

Abstract

Mechanical properties are essential for polyester materials due to their widespread applications as fibers, films, and engineering accessories. The copolymerization strategy has been developed to enhance polyester properties, but facile-synthesized new materials are still under discovery. In this work, we designed a series of terminal functioned polyesters, for introducing plasticization effects and π-π stacking interactions. The fabrication process can be one-pot achieved via melting polycondensation method. The prepared modified polyesters exhibit significantly improved elongation of break (560%), which is 104% improved compared with pristine poly(ethylene terephthalate). Meanwhile, the maximum toughness reaches 206.1 MJ/m3. The thermal properties, viscoelastic properties, crystallinity properties, and fracture morphologies of the as-prepared polyesters are investigated as well. Results show that great elongation of break, higher crystallinity, and good processability are achieved simultaneously. This work provides a one-pot fabricated terminal functioned polyester with advanced tensile properties, expanding its potential application as engineering materials.