Exploring Sustainable Biopolyesters: Synthesis from 1,4-Butanediol and Aliphatic Diacids
Category
Sciences and Technology
Department
Chemistry
Student Status
Graduate
Research Advisor
Dr. Ram Gupta
Document Type
Event
Location
Student Center Ballroom
Start Date
10-4-2025 2:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2025 4:00 PM
Description
Biobased polyesters were synthesized from 1,4-butanediol and a series of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, namely succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid using melt polycondensation. The resulting polymers poly(butylenesuccinate) (PPeS), poly(butylene adipate) (PPeA), and poly(butylene sebacate) (PPeSe) were characterized with intrinsic viscosity, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA) and tensile testing. All the polymers had weight-average molecular weight of over 50,000 g/mol and melting temperature (Tm) ranging from 50 oC to 116 oC, PPeA exhibited a lower melting temperature due to semicrystalline structure and rapid crystallization. The "even-even" effect was observed, contributing to an increased tensile strength of PPeA. All the polymers exhibit good thermal stability, mechanical properties, and tensile properties compared to polyethylene. These biobased and potentially biodegradable polyesters appear to be promising for practical applications like packaging, biomedical materials, and environmentally friendly plastics.
Exploring Sustainable Biopolyesters: Synthesis from 1,4-Butanediol and Aliphatic Diacids
Student Center Ballroom
Biobased polyesters were synthesized from 1,4-butanediol and a series of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, namely succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid using melt polycondensation. The resulting polymers poly(butylenesuccinate) (PPeS), poly(butylene adipate) (PPeA), and poly(butylene sebacate) (PPeSe) were characterized with intrinsic viscosity, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA) and tensile testing. All the polymers had weight-average molecular weight of over 50,000 g/mol and melting temperature (Tm) ranging from 50 oC to 116 oC, PPeA exhibited a lower melting temperature due to semicrystalline structure and rapid crystallization. The "even-even" effect was observed, contributing to an increased tensile strength of PPeA. All the polymers exhibit good thermal stability, mechanical properties, and tensile properties compared to polyethylene. These biobased and potentially biodegradable polyesters appear to be promising for practical applications like packaging, biomedical materials, and environmentally friendly plastics.
