In order to improve the mechanical
and oxygen barrier properties
of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), two series of sugar-containing
PBS copolyesters with different molecular stiffness were synthesized
and comparatively investigated, in which a cyclic alditol, isosorbide
(Is) or 2,3-O-isopropylidene-l-threitol
(ITh) was, respectively, used as a comonomer. Both cyclic alditols
were easily available from biomass feedstock, such that Is is a bicyclic
compound derived from d-glucose, and ITh is a monocyclic
acetalized compound coming from naturally occurring l-tartaric
acid. All these copolyesters containing up to 30 mol % of sugar-based
units had satisfactory number-average molecular weights in the 16 000–83 000
g mol–1 range, and presented a random microstructure
together with excellent thermal stability. The sugar-containing copolyesters
were all semicrystalline and still possessed the monoclinic crystal
structure of PBS. The incorporation of either Is or ITh units with
rigid cyclic structure into PBS chain decreased the crystallinity
and crystallization rate of PBS, while it enhanced its glass transition
temperature. In addition, the partial replacement of 1,4-butanediol
by sugar-based units endowed PBS with steadily enhanced hydrophilicity.
Depending on the type and content of sugar units, the copolyesters
show different oxygen barriers and mechanical properties. It was found
that copolyester with bicyclic Is sugar units exhibited a better oxygen
barrier and mechanical property than that with monocyclic ITh units.