title: Synthesis, cocrystallization, and enzymatic degradation of novel poly(butylene-co-propylene succinate) copolymers.
abstract: A series of poly(butylene-co-propylene succinate) (PBPSu) random copolyesters were synthesized and characterized using 1HNMR spectroscopy and viscometry. Tensile properties decreased with increasing propylene succinate (PSu) content. Cocrystallization and multiple melting behaviors were investigated. The copolymers showed a eutectic behavior. The minimum melting point corresponded to 75 mol % PSu. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns showed that the copolymers with up to 60 mol % PSu units formed poly(butylene succinate) crystals. The interplanar spacings slightly differentiated. The copolymer with 11.5 mol % poly(propylene succinate) (PPSu) units formed PPSu crystals. The results indicated isodimorphic cocrystallization. The cocrystallization was thermodynamically analyzed using the Wendling-Suter model. The defect free energy decreased for copolymers with high PPSu content. The banded spherulites of the copolyesters were studied, and growth rates were analyzed using the Lauritzen-Hoffman theory. Enzymatic hydrolysis study, using Rhizopus delemar and Pseudomonas cepacia lipases, showed that degradation was faster for copolymers with high PSu content, compared even to the fast-degrading PPSu.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Organic Chemical Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
authors.forename: George Z
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: Dimitrios N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Bikiaris
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008049:Lipase / Q000737:chemistry; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D044366:Transition Temperature; D014783:Viscosity; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C523544:poly(butylene-co-propylene succinate); D008049:Lipase