Aliphatic-aromatic biodegradable random copolyester, poly (butylene sebacate-co-butylene isophthalate) (PBSeI) was synthesized by a two step direct melt polycondensation method. This copolyester was characterized by solubility studies, viscosity measurements, infrared, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and thermal data. However, to be a real alternative to classical synthetic polymers and find applications, the thermal properties of biodegradable polymers have to be improved. Synthesis of nano-biocomposites, which are obtained by incorporation of nanofillers into a biomatrix, is an interesting way to create polymers with characteristic properties. In the present study, the nano-biocomposites were synthesized by dispersing different weight percentages (1, 3 and 5%) of organo-modified montmorillonite clay (OMMT) into the biodegradable polyester matrix by the solvent intercalation method. Structural characterization and thermal analysis were carried out to better understand, the relationship between the structuring of the nanofillers and the properties of nano-biocomposites. The X-ray diffraction patterns obtained for the systems confirmed the nanodispersion of the OMMT-clay in the polyester networks. The scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses showed that there was no phase separation between the two components which confirmed the compatibility of polyester with the organo-modified clay system. The results show that clay incorporation improved the thermal properties of PBSeI due to the exfoliated structure of the nanocomposites formed, and thus may increase the applicability of this biodegradable polymer in different fields.

This chapter deals with a hitherto unreported newer root of synthesis of photocrosslinkable polymers containing pendant chalcone moieties with different substituents. The main aim of present research work is to synthesis photocrosslinkable polymers containing pendant chalcone moiety that exhibits both liquid-crystalline and photocrosslinking properties. The polymers were synthesized with various substituents in their terminal position to pendant chalcone unit and acrylic unit. All the five polymers P1–P5 were synthesized by the free-radical polymerization method. The predetermined quantities of monomers were dissolved in THF solvent and AIBN was used as initiator. The polymerization was carried out under nitrogen (inert) atmosphere for 48 h. The number (Mn) and weight average (Mw) molecular weight of the polymers were obtained by the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate that the polymers show good thermal stability, since the phenyl group in the case of polymers P1, P2 and P4 gives better thermal and thermal oxidative stability required for a negative photoresists. Liquid-crystalline behavior of polymers were identified by DSC thermogram and confirmed by hot-stage polarized optical microscope images. Photocrosslinking behavior of all the polymers were investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, the cross linking of all the polymers proceed via cyclobutane ring formation during 2π+2π cycloaddition reaction on irradiation with 254-nm UV light. The surface morphology studies of both virgin and photocrosslinked polymers were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The photocrosslinked polymer sample confirms the loosely held dispersion of polymeric material, while virgin polymer exhibits compact stringent dispersion of the polymeric surface.