SYNTHESIS, PROPERTIES AND BIODEGRADABILITY OF POLYESTERS BASED ON 1,3-PROPANEDIOL

Aliphatic homopolyesters and copolyesters based on 1,3-propanediol and containing terephthalic acid as aromatic compound and sebacic acid as aliphatic compound were synthesized by condensation in bulk. Intrinsi c viscosity and weight-average molecular weight were measured. Melting temperatures were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. For a ll polyesters the biodegradability was tested. Test media were inocula ted with either municipal compost eluates or decanted sewage sludge. C riteria measured were visible changes, weight loss, and scanning elect ron microscopy indicating the visible changes of the surface. Composit ions of copolyesters were characterized by C-13 NMR spectroscopy. As a major result it is concluded that biodegradability depends substantia lly on the sequential structure of the polymer.