Tuning thermal properties and microphase separation in aliphatic polyester ABA copolymers

MacDonald, J. P., Parker, M. P., Greenland, B. W., Hermida-Merino, D., Hamley, I. W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4549-0926 and Shaver, M. P. (2015) Tuning thermal properties and microphase separation in aliphatic polyester ABA copolymers. Polymer Chemistry, 6 (9). pp. 1445-1453. ISSN 1759-9954 doi: 10.1039/c4py01459f

Abstract/Summary

Four alkyl substituted β-lactones were investigated as monomers in ring opening polymerisation to produce a family of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate)s. Homopolymers were synthesised using a robust aluminium salen catalyst, resulting in polymers with low dispersity (Đ < 1.1) and predictable molecular weights. ABA triblock copolymers were prepared using poly(L-lactic acid) as the A block and the aforementioned poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) as the B block via a sequential addition method. Characterisation of these copolymers determined they were well controlled with low dispersities and predictable molecular weight. DSC analysis determined copolymers prepared from β-butyrolactone or β-valerolactone yielded polymers with tunable and predictable thermal properties. Copolymers prepared from β-heptanolactone yielded a microphase separated material as indicated by SAXS, with two distinct Tgs. The polymers could be readily cast into flexible films and their improved tensile properties were explored.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/39328
Identification Number/DOI	10.1039/c4py01459f
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Chemistry Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > School of Pharmacy > Medicinal Chemistry Research Group
Publisher	Royal Society of Chemistry
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