Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate)s

A series of high molecular weight polyesters, poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate)s was prepared from dimethyl succinate, dimethyl adipate and 1,4-butanediol by catalyzed transesterification in the melt. The structure, average molecular weights and physical properties of the resulting random aliphatic copolyesters were characterized by H-1 NMR, solution viscosity, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray analysis. The effect of copolymer composition on the physical and thermal properties, as well as enzymatic degradation was investigated. The enzymatic degradation was performed in a buffer solution with Candida cylindracea lipase at 30 degreesC. The highest enzymatic degradation rate was observed for the copolyester containing 50 mol.% butylene succinate units (PBAS-50). This copolyester has the lowest crystallinity and these results suggest that degree of crystallinity has a strong influence on the enzymatic degradation rate. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.