Four alditols (erythritol, sorbitol, glycerol, and xylitol), succinic acid, and butanediol (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) were used to synthesize four polymers—poly(glycerol succinate-co-butylene succinate) (PGBSu), poly(erythritol succinate-co-butylene succinate) (PEBSu), poly(xylitol succinate-co-butylene succinate) (PXBSu), and poly(sorbitol succinate-co-butylene succinate) (PSBSu).
The succinic acid:alditol:butylene glycol monomer ratio used was 2:1:1. Synthesis was carried out according to the procedure described in previous papers [29 (link),30 (link),31 (link),32 (link)]. Esterification of succinic acid, alditol, and butylene glycol for 13.5 h in 150 °C and N2 atmosphere was the first step of the synthesis. Next, 3.5 h of polycondensation reaction in vacuum in 150 °C took place. The materials obtained directly after polycondensation are called “prepolymers” further in the text. Following polycondensation, prepolymers were cast into forms made of silicon. After that, cross-linking in a vacuum dryer in 100 °C and 100 mBar atmosphere was carried out. Samples for further tests were cut from the cross-linked sheets of the material using a punching die.
The succinic acid:alditol:butylene glycol monomer ratio used was 2:1:1. Synthesis was carried out according to the procedure described in previous papers [29 (link),30 (link),31 (link),32 (link)]. Esterification of succinic acid, alditol, and butylene glycol for 13.5 h in 150 °C and N2 atmosphere was the first step of the synthesis. Next, 3.5 h of polycondensation reaction in vacuum in 150 °C took place. The materials obtained directly after polycondensation are called “prepolymers” further in the text. Following polycondensation, prepolymers were cast into forms made of silicon. After that, cross-linking in a vacuum dryer in 100 °C and 100 mBar atmosphere was carried out. Samples for further tests were cut from the cross-linked sheets of the material using a punching die.
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