Biodegradable Poly(ethylene succinate-co-ethylene oxalate-co-diethylene glycol succinate): Effects of a Small Amount of Ethylene Oxalate Content on the Properties of Poly(ethylene succinate)

In this work, poly(ethylene succinate-co-0.3 m% ethylene oxalate-co-0.6 m% diethylene glycol succinate) (PEED) and poly(ethylene succinate-co-0.6 m% diethylene glycol succinate) (PED) with a similar weight-average molar mass (M-w) of about 6x10(4) g/mol were synthesized by a two-step melt polycondensation method to investigate whether the strong-acting ethylene oxalate groups in the molecular chain of poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) could improve the crystallization rate and physical properties of PES. As a result, PEED crystallized faster under isothermal melt crystallization condition and the density of PEED spherulites also increased, indicating ethylene oxalate significantly acted as a nucleating agent. Relative to PED, PEED presented a similar tensile strength, yet it's Young's modulus increased by 13%, and elongation at break increased by 72%, indicating that 0.3 m% of ethylene oxalate could improve the physical properties of PES. This study provides a new strategy for improving the crystallization rate of PES.

Automated summary

By incorporating ethylene oxalate groups into the molecular chain of poly(ethylene succinate), the crystallization rate and physical properties of PES can be enhanced, providing a new strategy for improving PES crystallization rate.