Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters

In recent years, biodegradable polymers have received much attention, and aliphatic polyesters are among the most interesting candidates for biodegradable fibres, nonwovens, films, sheets, bottles and injection-moulded products. The enzymatic degradation of aliphatic polyesters depends upon not only the chemical structure as regards hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance within the main chain but also its specific solid state morphology. In this work, we report the synthesis and structural characterisation of a set of copolyesters obtained from 1,4-butandiol and mixtures of dimethylesters of succinic, adipic and sebacic acids. Filmed samples of these materials were subjected to enzymatic attack and the relative weight loss rates were compared.