International. In a study, a group of Chinese researchers propose a new strategy for the preparation of polyesters based on furandicarboxylic acid, through the polycondensation in the molten state of asymmetric monomers with terminal methyl ester and hydroxyl groups.
A series of bio-based polyesters was prepared from dimethyl 2,5-furandicarboxilate and diols containing long alkyl chains. In this strategy, volatile methanol instead of diols with high boiling points was eliminated as a by-product. The effects of catalyst concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time on molecular weight and PDI were investigated.
Polyesters with high molecular weights and no coloration were obtained at a lower polycondensation temperature and in less time compared to previous methods. The thermal and mechanical properties of the prepared polyesters were investigated by DSC, TGA, DMA and tensile test. The results revealed that the thermal and mechanical properties of polyesters including Tm, Tc, Tg, Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at breakage, not only depended on the number of methylene groups but were also related to the torque effect.
Source: Green Chemistry.
