Polymer, Vol.84, 343-354, 2016
Biodegradable unsaturated polyesters containing2,3-butanediol for engineering applications: Synthesis, characterization and performances
Highly purified 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) was obtained from glycerol by using metabolically engineered Escherichia coli through biosynthetic pathways. The bio-elastomers with high strength and elasticity was then prepared from the synthetic 2,3-butanediol and several commercially renewable monomers as promising materials for engineering applications. The molecular weights, chemical structures, and thermal transitions of the bio-elastomers were confirmed by GPC, NMR, FTIR, TGA, DSC and WAXD. Importantly, the introduction of 2,3-BDO can limit and even prevent the crystallization of these bioelastomers, which makes them amorphous and ensure their high elasticity. Furthermore, the bioelastomers were highly reinforced with nanosilica which can meet the requirements for the majority of rubber products. Results of in vitro degradation tests prove these bio-elastomers can adjust the degradation rate of their composites by crosslinking. Cell adhesion and proliferation were adopted to evaluate the potential biocompatibility of SiO2/PBPSSI composites and the results indicated that all the SiO2/PBPSSI composites were essentially noncytotoxic. In general, the petroleum-independent monomers, relatively simple synthesis and adjustable degradation rate could greatly reduce environmental impact and the fine mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility make these novel synthetic bio-elastomers sustainable materials for engineering applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.