Partially renewable copolyesters prepared from acetalized d-glucitol by solid-state modification of poly(butylene terephthalate)

Abstract

The backbone of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) was modified with 2,4:3,5-di- O -methylene- D -glucitol (Glux) using solid-state modification (SSM). The obtained copolyest- ers proved to have a non-random overall chemical microstruc- ture. The thermal properties of these semicrystalline, block- like, Glux-based materials were extraordinary, showing higher melting points, and glass transition temperatures compared with other sugar-based copolyesters prepared by SSM. These remarkable thermal properties were a direct result of the inher- ently rigid structure of Glux and the relatively slow randomiza- tion of the block-like chemical microstructure of the Glux- based copolyesters in the melt. SSM proved to be a versatile tool for preparing partially biobased copolyesters with superior thermal properties