Synthesis and characterization of poly(ω-pentadecalactone) for its industrial-scale production

Abstract

The synthesis of biomaterial poly(ω-pentadecalactone)(PPDL) with yttrium isopropoxide as initiator in bulk was explored for its industrial-scale production. The weight-average molecular weight( w M ) of PPDL could be controlled by the molar ratio of monomer to initiator(M/I), polymerization temperature(T p ) and period(t p ). The synthesis conditions were optimized, and a high w M of 9.2×10 4 of PPDL could be obtained by the reaction at an M/I molar ratio of 1000/1 and 100 °C for only 30 min, which presented tough properties with a tensile strength of about 20 MPa and an elongation at break of about 300%. This mechanical property was comparable to that of high density polyethylene(HDPE). The melting point was about 96 °C, and 5% of mass loss temperature(T 5% ) was as high as 340 °C. Thus, the PPDL with good mechanical properties and high thermal stability can be synthesized without solvent at low expenses.