Crystallization, and morphology of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) segmented block copolymers

Co-Polymers based on Poly(1,4-butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) and Poly(propylene oxide) with Tuneable Thermal Properties: Synthesis and Characterization

Poly(ether ester)s (PEEs) represent a promising class of segmented co-polymers, nevertheless the synthesis of PEEs based on renewable 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is still scarce. In this context, a series of poly(1,4-butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)-co-poly(poly(propylene oxide) 2,5-furandicarboxylate) co-polyesters with different composition of stiff poly(1,4-butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) and soft poly(poly(propylene oxide) 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PPOF) moieties were synthesized, via a two-step bulk polytransesterification reaction. The molar ratio of PBF/PPOF incorporated was varied (10 to 50 mol%) in order to prepare several novel materials with tuned properties. The materials were characterised in detail through several techniques, namely ATR FTIR, ¹H and 13C NMR, TGA, DSC, DMTA and XRD. Their hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation evaluation was also assessed. These new co-polymers showed either a semi-crystalline nature when higher PBF/PPOF ratios were used, and for approximately equal amounts of PBF and PPOF an amorphous co-polyester was obtained instead.

In situ synthesis of poly(ether ester) via direct polycondensation of terephthalic acid and 1,3-propanediol with sulfonic acids as catalysts

Sulfonic acid-comprising catalysts were explored to in situ fabricate ether segments in the process of esterification of terephthalic acid and 1,3-propanediol, and developing a new pathway of poly(ether ester)s synthesis without the addition of oligoether as starting materials.

Biomineralization of Engineered Spider Silk Protein-Based Composite Materials for Bone Tissue Engineering

Materials based on biodegradable polyesters, such as poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) or poly(butylene terephthalate-co-poly(alkylene glycol) terephthalate) (PBTAT), have potential application as pro-regenerative scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Herein, the preparation of films composed of PBT or PBTAT and an engineered spider silk protein, (eADF4(C16)), that displays multiple carboxylic acid moieties capable of binding calcium ions and facilitating their biomineralization with calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate is reported. Human mesenchymal stem cells cultured on films mineralized with calcium phosphate show enhanced levels of alkaline phosphatase activity suggesting that such composites have potential use for bone tissue engineering.

Incorporation of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid into poly(butylene terephthalate)-b-poly(tetramethylene glycol) to alter thermal properties without compromising tensile and elastic properties

Incorporation of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid to partially replace terephthalic acid results in a thermoplastic elastomer with decreased melting temperature and increased thermal stability while tensile and elastic properties remain unchanged.