Most starting materials used to synthesize commercial polymers are sourced from petroleum. However, there is a movement in the chemical industry towards new bio-based starting materials as these are increasingly more attractive on a cost and performance basis for industrial use. For example, the four-carbon diacid, succinic acid (SA) has been identified by the Department of Energy (DoE) as a potential large volume sustainably-produced starting material that could replace the six-carbon petroleum-based diacid, adipic acid (AA), in polymers. In this work, we compare the properties of copolymers and blends made from SA with BDO and HDO at 2000 DA (<i>n</i>=11) and 1000 Da (<i>n</i>=6) to explore the role of repeat length on solubility, crystal structure, and melting point. We find both co-crystallization and the uncommon occurrence of double crystallization in these systems. We use this information to understand the role of average repeat length and percent co-monomer composition for the properties of these systems.

Isodimorphic co-crystallization in succinate polyester polyols: Comparison of butanediol and hexanediol copolymer; and blend crystallization structure, kinetics, and compatibility

2019 Spring National Meeting

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