Discussions on crystallization behaviors and physical properties of biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate) composites containing PCL-CD-IC

• Published in: Journal of polymer research 2023-02, Vol.30 (2), Article 75
• Main Authors: Lee, Li-Ting, Tsai, Cheng-Yu, Wu, Tzu-Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Biodegradability; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composite materials; Crystallization; Cyclodextrins; Ethylene; Hydrolysis; Hydrophilicity; Hydroxyl groups; Inclusion complexes; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Nucleation; Original Paper; Physical properties; Polycaprolactone; Polyethylene succinate; Polymer Sciences
• ISSN: 1022-9760; 1572-8935
• DOI: 10.1007/s10965-023-03462-7

In this work, biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu) composites were studied. Inclusion complex (IC) of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was prepared and added into PESu to formed the relevant composites. The inclusion complex was named as PCL-CD-IC. SEM, DSC, and WAXD were used to investigated the composites. In the related results acquired from this work, PCL-CD-IC can enhance the PESu’s crystallization due to the nucleation effect. The crystallization rates of the composites were found to be higher than that of neat PESu. The composites’ hydrophilicity can be also promoted by PCL-CD-IC. The PESu/PCL-CD-IC composites exhibited better hydrolysis properties than neat PESu. The hydrophilic hydroxyl groups of ICs showed affinity for water molecules, so the hydrophilicity and hydrolysis properties of PESu were enhanced by the presence of PCL-CD-IC.