Synthesis, characterization, and properties of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) modified with imide dihydric alcohol

A series of high molecular weight poly (butylene succinate) and its copolyester containing rigid imide units were synthesized in this article. The chemical structure and composition of the copolyesters were determined by 1 H NMR spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FT-IR). The thermal properties, crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of polymers were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and mechanical testing. The enzymatic degradation was investigated using pancreatic lipase solution. The results showed that the melting temperature ( T m ) of the copolyester decreased with the increment in pyromellitic imide unit content. However, the thermal degradation temperature (5% decomposition temperature) changed little. Meanwhile, the enzymatic degradation rate of poly (butylene succinate) was enhanced. The mechanical properties showed that the tensile strength had a trend of decrease, but the elongation at break was improved with the increment in imide units. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131 , 40807.