Evaluation of biodegradability of poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends

Chiellini, Emo; Corti, Andrea; Giovannini, Arianna; Narducci, Piero; Paparella, Anna M.; Solaro, Roberto

doi:10.1007/bf02083881

Cited by 49 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Various methods have been reported for the synthesis of PET-PCL copolymers such as (i) the melt trans-esterification reaction between PETand PCL homopolymers [1,[3][4][5][6]12] and (ii) the bulk reaction of e-caprolactone with PET oligomers [11,13,14] or bis-hydroxyethyl terephthalate. [15] The reaction of high molar mass PET with e-caprolactone has been much less investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Temperature Bulk Reaction between Poly(ethylene terephtalate) and Lactones: ¹H NMR and SEC/MALDI‐TOF MS Study

Tillier

Lefèbvre

Tessier

et al. 2004

Macro Chemistry & Physics

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Summary: Copolyesters containing aliphatic units in the main chain were obtained by reacting high molar mass poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with ε‐caprolactone or δ‐valerolactone at high temperature in the bulk. γ‐Butyrolactone did not react in these conditions. Thermal properties were studied by DSC and TGA, and structural characterizations were carried out by 1H NMR spectroscopy and SEC/MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry off‐line coupling. These techniques demonstrate the insertion of lactone units in PET chains. Linear species with hydroxy, carboxy and vinyl ester end‐groups were clearly identified in the mass spectra, together with cyclic copolymer species. Narrow‐distribution copolyester SEC fractions were characterized by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry and used to establish a SEC calibration curve against absolute molar masses. The results indicate that the conventional polystyrene SEC calibration strongly overestimates copolyester molar masses. The degree of randomness of these copolyesters, determined by 1H NMR, shows that chain microstructure presents some block‐copolymer character. The thermal properties of the copolyesters are also discussed.Reaction between PET and γ‐butyrolactone (x = 3), δ‐valerolactone (x = 4), or ε‐caprolactone (x = 5).magnified imageReaction between PET and γ‐butyrolactone (x = 3), δ‐valerolactone (x = 4), or ε‐caprolactone (x = 5).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Temperature Bulk Reaction between Poly(ethylene terephtalate) and Lactones: ¹H NMR and SEC/MALDI‐TOF MS Study

Tillier

Lefèbvre

Tessier

et al. 2004

Macro Chemistry & Physics

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“…Among them, poly(ethylene terephthalate/caprolactone) [P(ET/CL)] copolyester has been early focused on the biodegradable polymeric materials required for desirable mechanical and thermal properties. [5][6][7][8][9][10] It has recently attracted much interest for elastomeric materials. 11,12 Thus, the elastic fiber spun from P(ET/CL) copolyesters is used as plastic and mechanical energy-absorbing device in seat belt assembly.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Effect of Molecular Weight of Polycaprolactone on the Ester Interchange Reactions during Melt Blending with Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Lim

Kim

Yoon

2002

Polym J

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ABSTRACT:The molecular weight (MW) of polycaprolactone (PCL) component had a profound effect on the ester interchange reactions during melt blending with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Utilization of lower MW of PCL component gave rise to higher degree of ester interchange reactions, and it could reduce mixing time required for generating a copolyester. The thermal properties and crystalline structure of resultant copolyesters were depended on the degree of ester interchange reactions by varying MW of PCL. It converted the morphology of copolyesters to a continuous single phase, suggesting formation of more random copolyester. Further, the substitution of PCL with low MW (M w : 1250) as third component in melt blends of PET and PCL with high MW(M w : 80000) led to higher degree of ester interchange reactions as well.KEY WORDS Poly(ethylene terephthalate) / Polycaprolactone / Melt Blending / Ester Interchange Reactions / Molecular Weight / The ester interchange reactions commonly occur in melt blending of different kinds of polyesters, which produces first the block copolyesters from immiscible blends and finally microstructure becomes randomized. [1][2][3][4] The physicochemical properties of produced copolyesters are closely related to their structural characteristics such as sequence length and randomness, which influenced by the degree of ester interchange reactions. Therefore, the control of ester interchange reactions in polyester blends may be technical key for their industrial applications.On the other hand, the copolyesters consisted of amorphous aliphatic ester unit and high melting crystalline ester unit are expected to find their applications for functional materials. Among them, poly(ethylene terephthalate/caprolactone) [P(ET/CL)] copolyester has been early focused on the biodegradable polymeric materials required for desirable mechanical and thermal properties. 5-10 It has recently attracted much interest for elastomeric materials. 11, 12 Thus, the elastic fiber spun from P(ET/CL) copolyesters is used as plastic and mechanical energy-absorbing device in seat belt assembly.However, it is difficult to obtain the copolyester by melt blending of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polycaprolactone (PCL) because of the poor thermal stability of PCL. In order to prevent the thermal degradation of PCL component during melt blending, the mixing procedure must be accomplished within a short time. However, this frequently raises the problem of immiscibility between PET and PCL because of the lack of ester interchange reactions.As well known, ester interchange reactions during melt blending includes alcoholysis, acidolysis, and direct transesterification. 4,[13][14][15] The degree of ester interchange reactions is more seriously dependent on alcoholysis than acidolysis and direct transesterification because the former reaction is kinetically faster than the latter reactions. Recently, it is reconfirmed the fact that the importance of the role of alcoholysis by hydroxyl end group via the control of mole...

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“…The incorporation of natural fibers into PCL has been shown to enhance the biodegradability of the resulting composites (di Franco et al 2004;Zhao et al 2008). However, the biodegradability of the resulting product is limited if all polymers are not biodegradable (Tilstra and Johnsonbaugh 1993;Goldberg 1995;Chiellini et al 1996). Therefore, composites in which all or nearly all components are biodegradable are desirable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Mechanical Properties and Fungal Degradation of Polycaprolactone/ Microcrystalline Cellulose/Wood Flour Composites

et al. 2013

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a Polycaprolactone (PCL) filled with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), wood flour (WF), or both were characterized before and after exposure to various environmental conditions for 60 days. PCL/WF composites had the greatest tensile strength and modulus compared to neat PCL or PCL composites containing MCC. Electron microscopy indicated better adhesion between WF particles and PCL than between MCC particles and PCL. Neither wood flour nor MCC cellulose appeared to significantly affect the crystallinity of PCL. Environmental conditioning resulted in only minor deterioration of mechanical properties, although samples soaked in water had greater deterioration of mechanical properties than those in high humidity or freezing environments. After a modified 12-week soil block test, specimens made with wood flour lost weight and showed signs of decay after exposure to the brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum.

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Evaluation of biodegradability of poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends

Cited by 49 publications

References 10 publications

High Temperature Bulk Reaction between Poly(ethylene terephtalate) and Lactones: ¹H NMR and SEC/MALDI‐TOF MS Study

High Temperature Bulk Reaction between Poly(ethylene terephtalate) and Lactones: ¹H NMR and SEC/MALDI‐TOF MS Study

The Effect of Molecular Weight of Polycaprolactone on the Ester Interchange Reactions during Melt Blending with Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Mechanical Properties and Fungal Degradation of Polycaprolactone/ Microcrystalline Cellulose/Wood Flour Composites

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Evaluation of biodegradability of poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blends

Cited by 49 publications

References 10 publications

High Temperature Bulk Reaction between Poly(ethylene terephtalate) and Lactones: 1H NMR and SEC/MALDI‐TOF MS Study

High Temperature Bulk Reaction between Poly(ethylene terephtalate) and Lactones: 1H NMR and SEC/MALDI‐TOF MS Study

The Effect of Molecular Weight of Polycaprolactone on the Ester Interchange Reactions during Melt Blending with Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Mechanical Properties and Fungal Degradation of Polycaprolactone/ Microcrystalline Cellulose/Wood Flour Composites

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Product

Resources

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High Temperature Bulk Reaction between Poly(ethylene terephtalate) and Lactones: ¹H NMR and SEC/MALDI‐TOF MS Study

High Temperature Bulk Reaction between Poly(ethylene terephtalate) and Lactones: ¹H NMR and SEC/MALDI‐TOF MS Study