Synthesis and characterization of polyester copolymers based on poly (butylene succinate) and poly(ethylene glycol)

A series of polyester copolymers was synthesized from 1,4-succinic acid with 1,4-butanediol and poly(ethylene glycol) through a two-step process of esterification and polycondensation in this article. The composition and physical properties of copolyesters were investigated via GPC, (HNMR)-H-1, DSC and PLM. The copolymer composition was in good agreement with that expected from the feed composition of the reactants. The melting temperature (T-m), crystallization temperature (T-c), and crystallinity (X-c) of these copolyesters decreased gradually as the content of PEG unit increased. Otherwise, experimental results also showed that the contents of PEG in copolymers had an effect on the molecular weight, distribution, thermal properties, hydrolysis degradation properties, and crystalline morphology of polyester copolymers. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.