Synthesis and Characterization of Amorphous Bibenzoate (Co)polyesters: Permeability and Rheological Performance

Ryan J. Mondschein, Joseph M. Dennis, Haoyu Liu, Ramesh K. Ramakrishnan, Sergei Nazarenko, S. Richard Turner, Timothy E. Long

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Melt polycondensation of bibenzoate dimethyl esters with ethylene glycol enabled the synthesis of polyesters containing linear (4,4′-bibenzoate (4,4′BB)) and kinked (3,4′-bibenzoate (3,4′BB)) repeating units. Novel 3,4′BB:4,4′BB (co)polyesters with ethylene glycol (EG) showed an onset of weight loss (Td,5%) above 350 °C. 1H NMR spectroscopy confirmed 4,4′BB:3,4′BB incorporation, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) revealed high molecular weights. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed glass transition temperatures (Tg) approaching 121 °C, crystallization and melting transition temperatures (Tc and Tm), and sub-Tg β-relaxations. 4,4′BB incorporation below ∼45 mol % afforded an amorphous morphology, while 4,4′BB incorporation above 45 mol % induced crystallinity. Melt rheology elucidated the effect of structure on flow behavior, and time-temperature superposition (TTS) revealed distinct flow transitions. TTS analysis also provided insight into the structural influence of regioisomers on fractional free volume (fg) and flow activation energies (Ea). Incorporation of the symmetrical 4,4′BB monomer negligibly affected the fg but imparted a stiffer overall chain, resulting in higher Ea. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) of the (co)polyesters confirmed a lack of change in free volume through measuring the average free volume of a spherical hole. Determination of oxygen permeability offered fundamental understanding of the relationship of monomer symmetry with gas permeability and free volume in unoriented films; kinked 3,4′BB monomer afforded higher overall barrier in amorphous films. Finally, tensile testing elucidated Young's moduli and yield strengths, confirming (co)polyesters' mechanical similarity to BPA-polycarbonate. Moduli ≤2.7 GPa and yield strengths up to 74 MPa confirmed BB-based (co)polyesters enhanced properties compared to other high-Tg polyesters.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7603-7610
Number of pages8
JournalMacromolecules
Volume50
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 10 2017
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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