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Sustainable Designof Poly(trimethylene succinate-co-terephthalate)Copolyesters: Melt Memory Effects, AcceleratedCrystallization, and Enhanced Mechanical Properties

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Zhenguang Li (413782), Jielin Xu (375207), Yaning Wang (2997282), Qian Chen (18883), Ruimin Xie (16698620), Jinlong Xu (689841), Jing Wu (54032), Huaping Wang (3632671)

Summary

Researchers synthesised biobased biodegradable poly(trimethylene succinate-co-terephthalate) (PTST) copolyesters using 1,3-propanediol as an eco-friendly monomer substitute for industrialised 1,4-butanediol, investigating crystallisation kinetics, self-nucleation behaviour, and mechanical properties across a range of succinic acid compositions. They identified a melt memory self-nucleation effect that enables cost-effective accelerated crystallisation and improved mechanical performance, offering a sustainable polymer alternative addressing both fossil resource depletion and microplastic pollution.

The depletion of fossil resources and escalating microplastic pollution necessitate sustainable polymer alternatives. This study develops biobased biodegradable polyesters using 1,3-propanediol (PDO) as an ecofriendly substitute for industrialized 1,4-butanediol (BDO)-based polyesters. A series of poly(trimethylene succinate-co-terephthalate) (PTST) copolyesters with varied succinic acid contents were synthesized to investigate their nonisothermal crystallization kinetics, self-nucleation behavior, and mechanical properties. Crystallization kinetics analyzed via the Jeziorny, Ozawa, and Mo models revealed composition-dependent crystallization rates, growth morphology, and activation energies. Differential scanning calorimetry identified a melt memory effect in PTST, with a self-nucleation temperature interval (147–158 °C) narrower than PBAT’s (141–162 °C), suggesting chain flexibility governs this phenomenon. Postprocessing within this interval enhanced recrystallization, improving mechanical properties without costly and time-consuming annealing. Rotational rheology further confirmed accelerated crystallization during melt cooling within the self-nucleation interval. This work provides a cost-effective strategy to optimize the PTST performance while advancing sustainable material design.

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