Structure and mechanical properties of biodegradable copolyesters and blends based on poly (butylenes terephthalate)

The contribution presents results of the research on biodegradable systems based on poly(butylcnc tcrcphthalatc) (PBT) either melt-blended or copolymerizcd with poly( 1,4-butylene succinate) (PTMS) or poly(e-caprolactonc) (PCL). Syntheses of copolycsters were carried out in a twin-screw extruder using of dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst. DSC results indicated that the blends were phase-separated systems while copolymcrs were semicrystallinc homogenous materials. The x-ray diffraction was used to study the molecular and supramolecular structure of blends and copolycsters. The results of structural investigation were then correlated with mechanical properties and biodegradability of the obtained materials.