Triblock polyester thermoplastic elastomers with semi-aromatic polymer end blocks by ring-opening copolymerization.

ABSTRACT: Thermoplastic elastomers benefit from high elasticity and straightforward (re)processability; they are widely used across a multitude of sectors. Currently, the majority derive from oil, do not degrade or undergo chemical recycling. Here a new series of ABA triblock polyesters are synthesized and show high-performances as degradable thermoplastic elastomers; their composition is poly(cyclohexene-alt-phthalate)-b-poly(ε-decalactone)-b-poly(cyclohexene-alt-phthalate) {PE-PDL-PE}. The synthesis is accomplished using a zinc(ii)/magnesium(ii) catalyst, in a one-pot procedure where ε-decalactone ring-opening polymerization yielding dihydroxyl telechelic poly(ε-decalatone) (PDL, soft-block) occurs first and, then, addition of phthalic anhydride/cyclohexene oxide ring-o

SUBMITTER: Gregory GL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8159401 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature