Synthesis of new degradable aliphatic polyester by transesterification: Synthesis of aliphatic polyester containing aromatic structures

Poly(butylene succinate) [PBS] was synthesized from succinic acid and butanediol. PBS/PET copolymers were prepared by the transesterification of PBS with PET. Inherent viscosity of the copolymers decreased with increasing PET contents, whereas tensile strength decreased a little compared to that of PBS homopolymer. Elongation was greatly improved when the copolymer contained 15 mol% PET. PBS/PBT copolymers were also obtained by adding PBT to PBS. Unlike PBS/PET copolymers their inherent viscosity increased until the content of PBT reached up to 15 mol% and then gradually decreased with PBT contents. Tensile strength and elongation of the PBS/PBT copolymers containing 5 similar to 20 mol% PBT were also improved. Both copolymers synthesized by the transesterification demonstrated enhanced thermal stabilities compared to the PBS homopolymer.