Ms. Nikolic et J. Djonlagic, Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate)s, POLYM DEGR, 74(2), 2001, pp. 263-270
A series of high molecular weight polyesters, poly(butylene succinate-co-bu
tylene adipate)s was prepared from dimethyl succinate, dimethyl adipate and
1,4-butanediol by catalyzed transesterification in the melt. The structure
, average molecular weights and physical properties of the resulting random
aliphatic copolyesters were characterized by H-1 NMR, solution viscosity,
gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray
analysis. The effect of copolymer composition on the physical and thermal p
roperties, as well as enzymatic degradation was investigated. The enzymatic
degradation was performed in a buffer solution with Candida cylindracea li
pase at 30 degreesC. The highest enzymatic degradation rate was observed fo
r the copolyester containing 50 mol.% butylene succinate units (PBAS-50). T
his copolyester has the lowest crystallinity and these results suggest that
degree of crystallinity has a strong influence on the enzymatic degradatio
n rate. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.