Synthesis and property of novel biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate) copolymers with methyl group introduced from diacid

Abstract

Due to excellent thermal and mechanical properties, biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) is a promising polyester in various practical fields. In this research, three novel poly(ethylene succinate-co-2-methyl succinate) (PESMS) copolyesters were synthesized from ethylene glycol, succinic acid, and 2-methyl succinic acid as the monomers, which showed the same main chain structure as PES except the presence of methyl between −OCCH2CH2CO− groups. The influence of ethylene 2-methyl succinate unit content on the crystal structure, thermal property, crystallization behavior, spherulitic morphology and crystal growth, as well as mechanical property of PESMS copolyesters was extensively investigated. The introduction of methyl significantly increased the toughness of PESMS copolyesters. For a better understanding of the structure and properties relationship, the influence of the location of methyl between −OCH2CH2O− groups introduced from diol or between −OCCH2CH2CO− groups introduced from diacid on the thermal and mechanical properties of PES based copolyesters was also compared and discussed.

Keywords

• Biodegradable
• Poly(ethylene succinate)
• Structure and properties