Novel vanillic acid-based poly(ether–ester)s: from synthesis to properties

Abstract

Two series of bio-based poly(ether–ester)s from vanillic acid and linear α,ω-diols HO-(CH₂)_m-OH (m = 2, 3, 4, 10) have been successfully synthesized by the direct esterification method. These poly(ether–ester)s were characterized using FTIR, ¹H-NMR, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to study their thermo-mechanical properties. The poly(ether–ester)s had weight-average molecular weights (M_w) in the range of 16 600 to 78 700 g mol⁻¹ and polydispersities between 1.39 and 2.00. All of the bio-based poly(ether–ester)s exhibited amorphous features with their glass transition temperatures (T_gs) ranging from 5 to 67 °C. The stress–strain parameters showed that the mechanical properties of these poly(ether–ester)s were excellent. The Young's modulus and elongation at break of the poly(ether–ester)s in this series were found to be in the range of 95–228 MPa and 14.9–311%, respectively.