Synthesis, structure, crystallization and mechanical properties of isodimorphic PBS-ran-PCL copolyesters

Abstract

Isodimorphic behavior is determined by partial inclusion of comonomer segments within the crystalline structure and arises from the comparatively similar repeating chain units of the parental homopolymers. Isodimorphic random copolymers are able to crystallize irrespective of their composition and exhibit a pseudo-eutectic behavior when their melting point values are plotted as a function of comonomer content. At the pseudo-eutectic point or region, two crystalline phases can coexist. On the right-hand and the left-hand side of the pseudo-eutectic point or region, only one single crystalline phase can form which is very similar to the crystalline structures of the parent homopolymers. This article aims to study the synthesis method, structure, crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of isodimorphic random PBS-ran-PCL copolyesters. Moreover, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of our main recent results on PBS-ran-PCL random copolyesters with three different molecular weights. The results show that the comonomer composition and crystallization conditions are the major factors responsible for the crystalline morphology, crystallization kinetics and mechanical performance of isodimorphic random copolyesters. Our studies demonstrate that in the pseudo-eutectic region, where both crystalline phases can coexist, the crystallization conditions determine the crystalline phase or phases of the copolymer. The relationships between the comonomer composition and mechanical properties are also addressed in this work.