Thermal properties and enzymatic degradation of PBS copolyesters containing DL-malic acid units

A series of biodegradable copolyester of poly (butylene succinate-co-butylene malate) (P (BS-co-BM)) bearing hydroxyl groups were prepared by one-pot synthetic strategy without hydroxy-protection. The structure and properties of the P (BS-co-BM) were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscope (POM), contact angle tester and enzymatic degradation. The results showed that the P (BS-co-BM) manifested excellent thermal properties. The glass transition temperature (T-g) of the P (BS-co-BM) increased with malic acid units added, the crystallizability temperature (T-c) decreased from 72.6 degrees C to 21.7 degrees C, and the melting point temperature (T-m) decreased from 117.9 degrees C to 82.4 degrees C. The crystallization rate of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) segment within P (BS-co-BM) was improved by the introduction of malic acid. The enzymatic degradation rate increased with hydrophilicity of the copolyester improving. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A series of biodegradable copolyesters of poly (butylene succinate-co-butylene malate) were successfully prepared via one-pot synthetic strategy without hydroxy-protection. The copolyesters exhibited excellent thermal and crystalline properties, with improved enzymatic degradation rate as the hydrophilicity of the copolyesters increased.