Herein, we describe the application of a high-throughput fluorescence-based assay to direct the synthesis of crosslinked polyurethanes to target degradability in an industrial composting setting. The application of fluorescein dilaurate (FDL), an ester based fluorescent probe, towards measuring enzymatic degradation of polyester polyurethanes was first validated. Then a base polyester composition of poly(butylene glutarate-co-butylene succinate) (PBGS), was chosen based on its high level of enzymatic degradation using the fluorescence based assay. The impact of diisocyanate indexing using hexamethylene diisocyante (HDI) and content of three different crosslinking agents glycerol, sorbitol monooleate, and a xylan-mannan derivative on enzymatic degradation was then determined. Directed by the enzymatic degradation assay and mechanical properties a final polyester polyurethane formulation with each cross-linker was determined. These materials were then subjected to respirometry studies under industrial composting conditions to further corroborate similarities in degradation profiles between the assay and respirometry for the polymer/crosslinker pairs.

Investigation of the enzymatic degradability of glycolic urethane linkages using a fluorescent probe

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ACS Fall 2022

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