Synthesis and Characterization of Bio-Based Polyester Elastomers and Its Toughening in Ploylactide

Polymer synthesis taking advantage of renewable resources over petroleum-based raw materials is indeed a feasible solution to the growing environmental threat and the depletion in fossil feed stocks. We have developed bio-based polyester elastomers (BEE) from biobased monomers in large-scale production, such as sebacic acid, itaconic acid, succinic acid, 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol. These linear and noncrystalline copolyesters with low glass transition temperature (T_g) and crosslinkable groups is designed and synthesized using multiple monomers through melting polycondensation. The nanoparticles such as silica and carbon black were then introduced into the BEE matrices to stiffen and strengthen elasotomers. The acquired BEE nanocomposites demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, such as improving the tensile strength to 20 MPa, good enviromental stability and advanced comprehensive performance. In view of its good biocompatibility and renewability, as well as the possible compatibility with PLA, BEE was considered to be a good candidate for toughening of PLA. The addition of BEE changed the failure behavior of PLA from brittle to ductile. The obtained PLA/BEE blens exhibited significantly improved mechanical properties and tounghness when adding 11.5 vol% BEE. Our research indicates that these PLA/BEE blends hold great potential for both engineering and biomedical applications.