Modification of poly(butylene succinate) with peroxide: Crosslinking, physical and thermal properties, and biodegradation

Prior to curing, we evaluated thermal stability of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). Above 170 degreesC, PBS was severely degraded and the degradation c ould not be successfully stabilized by an antioxidant. PBS was crosslinked effectively by DCP at 150 degreesC, and the gel fraction was increased as D CP content increased. The major structure of crosslinked PBS is supposed to consist of an ester and an aliphatic group. The tensile strength and elong ation of PBS were improved with increasing content of DCP, but tear strengt h was only slightly affected. The higher the crosslinking, the lower the he at of crystallization (DeltaH(c)) and heat of fusion (DeltaH(f)). However, the melt crystallization temperature (T-c) of crosslinked PBS was higher th an that of PBS. The viscosity of crosslinked PBS increased and exhibited ru bbery behavior as the content of curing agent increased. The biodegradabili ty of crosslinked PBS did not seriously deteriorate. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.