Synthesis and characterization of poly(ω-pentadecalactone) for its industrial-scale production

Abstract

The synthesis of biomaterial poly(ω-pentadecalactone)(PPDL) with yttrium isopropoxide as initiator in bulk was explored for its industrial-scale production. The weight-average molecular weight($\bar M_w$) of PPDL could be controlled by the molar ratio of monomer to initiator(M/I), polymerization temperature(T _p) and period(t _p). The synthesis conditions were optimized, and a high $\bar M_w$ of 9.2×10⁴ of PPDL could be obtained by the reaction at an M/I molar ratio of 1000/1 and 100 °C for only 30 min, which presented tough properties with a tensile strength of about 20 MPa and an elongation at break of about 300%. This mechanical property was comparable to that of high density polyethylene(HDPE). The melting point was about 96 °C, and 5% of mass loss temperature(T _5%) was as high as 340 °C. Thus, the PPDL with good mechanical properties and high thermal stability can be synthesized without solvent at low expenses.

Keywords

Poly(ω-pentadecalactone) / Polymerization / Characterization

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