Biodegradable polymers based on renewable resources.: VI.: Synthesis and biodegradability of poly(ester carbonate)s containing 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-glucitol and sebacic acid units

Poly(ester carbonate)s with different compositions were synthesized by bulk polycondensation of 1,4: 3,6-dianhydro-D-glucitol with diphenyl sebacate and diphenyl carbonate in the presence of zinc acetate as a catalyst. Most of the poly(ester carbonate)s as well as the corresponding polycarbonate were amorphous, except the poly(ester carbonate) with a small carbonate content and the corresponding polyester, which are semi crystalline. All these poly(ester carbonate)s are soluble in chloroform, pyridine, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and N,N-dimethylacetamide. Soil burial degradation tests, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measurements in an activated sludge, and enzymatic degradation tests indicated that these poly-(ester carbonate)s are potentially biodegradable. The biodegradability was found to be maximum for the poly(ester carbonate)s with carbonate contents of 10-20 mol % and to decrease markedly for the poly(ester carbonate)s with the carbonate content above 50 mol %. The biodegradability of the poly(ester carbonate)s is discussed in terms of the crystallinity, glass transition temperature, and Surface hydrophobicity of the polymer films. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.