Bio-Based Poly(butylene furandicarboxylate-co-glycolate) Copolyesters: Synthesis, Properties, and Hydrolysis in Different Aquatic Environments for Water Degradation Application

In an environment of high salinity, low temperature, and the presence of a few bacteria in seawater, improving the nonenzymatic hydrolysis of polyesters is one of the effective methods for developing seawater degradable materials. In this research, poly(butylene furandicarboxylate-co-glycolate) (PBFGA) copolyesters were synthesized via melt polycondensation. The PBFGA copolymer possessed excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability. Its tensile strength was 15-50 MPa and the elongation at break was more than 120% from the tensile tests. GA units improved the flexibility of PBF segments, and the PBFGA copolymer exhibited an amorphous structure. The PBFGA copolymer possessed good hydrolysis properties and the weight loss of PBFGA50 was more than 30% after 84 days of degradation in deionized water. Lipase catalyzed, and the salt inhibited the hydrolysis of the ester bond. PBFGA exhibited a bulk degradation mechanism, and sponge pores were formed on the surface due to preferential degradation of the PGA component, which was conducive to the further degradation of the internal groups. Some butanediol and glycolic acid terminated oligomers were produced during the degradation process, and rearrangement crystallization occurred in the chain segment. Thus, PBFGA copolyesters have the potential to serve as promising seawater degradable materials with excellent tensile and non-enzymatic degradable properties.

Automated summary

In this study, PBFGA copolyesters were synthesized via melt polycondensation, displaying excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability, good hydrolysis properties, and a bulk degradation mechanism.