Molecular characterization of biodegradable natural resin acid-substituted polycaprolactone

Renewable resin acid-substituted polycaprolactone is prepared for characterization of physical properties of polymers. Six samples of dehydroabietic acid-substituted polycaprolactone (PCL-g-DAPE) with various molecular weight were synthesized by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and click chemistry. These polymers were characterized by on-line two angle light scattering and differential pressure viscosity. The values of dn/dc, average molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, hydrodynamic radius, and radius of gyration were determined. Mark-Houwink double logarithmic relations of intrinsic viscosity and weight average molecular weight as well as Stockmayer-Fixman plots were established to scale the dimensions and conformation of PCL-g-DAPE chains related to their molar mass. The results indicated that PCL-g-DAPE is a flexible-coil polymer, similar to poly(methyl acrylate). Such properties were somewhat unexpected, considering the bulky group in the polymer side chains. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.