(1R,3S)-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentane-1,3-dimethanol
(TCDM) is a rigid alicyclic diol prepared by oxidation and subsequent
reduction of naturally occurring camphor. To improve the low glass
transition temperature (T
g), slow degradation
rate, and brittleness of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), two series
of PBS copolyesters based on TCDM were synthesized using two different
methods. Random copolymerization (RC) of a mixture of TCDM, 1,4-butanediol
(BDO), and 1,4-succinic acid (SA) afforded random PBS copolyesters,
while reactive blending (RB) of pure PBS and PTS (homopolyester based
on TCDM and SA) afforded PBS copolyesters with blocklike chemical
microstructures. For both series, the insertion of TCDM units resulted
in elevated thermal stability and higher T
g values compared to those of neat PBS. The RB-prepared copolyesters
displayed higher melting points, a higher degree of crystallinity,
and higher mechanical properties with respect to those of their random
counterparts obtained by RC. The incorporation of TCDM units enhanced
the hydrolytic degradation rates for both series, which is more pronounced
for the RC-prepared copolyesters. Overall, this work confirmed the
effectiveness of the RB technology in preparing high-performance biopolymers
such as improving the sustainability of raw materials, achieving high T
g values, and promoting the mechanical strength
and biodegradability as well.
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