Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Properties of Bio-Based Poly(Ethylene 2,5-Furan Dicarboxylate)

Poly(ethylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF), based on renewable resources, was synthesized using several different polycondensation methods and then characterized. In this study the properties of polycondensed PEF were compared using five types of catalysts and two types of monomers. For the optimal catalyst, the influence of the amount of catalyst, polycondensation temperature and polycondensation time were investigated and, thereafter, direct and indirect polycondensations were compared at the optimum conditions. Various properties of PEF were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity, gel permeation chromatography, H-1 NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction for comparison with the properties of polyethylene terephthalate PET. In addition, the rheological behaviour and mechanical properties of the PEFs were tested. The results confirmed that the obtained properties of PEF were similar to the corresponding properties of PET.