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A series of multiblock copolymers comprising a systematic combination of biomass‐originated and biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(2‐pyrrolidone) (PA4) units is synthesized with various mean degrees of polymerization (mDP) of each unit. Despite the inherent immiscibility of PBS and PA4, multiblock structure allows to mix the two components in the solution‐cast films from solution. The mechanical properties of the cast films are highly dependent on the mDP of each unit, as demonstrated by tensile tests. The film of the copolymer with the lowest mDP of each unit (PBS: 17, PA4: 10) is transparent and exhibits extremely high elongation at break (> 400%) and high tensile stress (39.5 MPa) with strain hardening. The films with 50% or higher crystallinity are brittle and opaque, while a decrease in crystallinity can result in higher elongation, as revealed by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Serious differences in PBS and cellulose biodegradability in terms of AD. • High methane production (MP) from cellulose in 37 °C and 55° C. • Extremely low MP from PBS in 37 °C; 7–times increase in MP in 55 °C. • Changes in mechanical properties as a valuable indicator of bioplastics biodegradation. Despite the increasing interest in bioplastics, there are still contradictory results on their actual biodegradability, which cause difficulties in choosing and developing appropriate sustainable treatment methods. Two biofoils (based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS 37) and cellulose (Cel 37)) were anaerobically degraded during 100-day mesophilic (37 °C) and thermophilic (55 °C) tests (PBS 55 , Cel 55). To overcome low degradation rates in mesophilic conditions, alkaline pre-treatment was also used (Pre-PBS 37 , Pre-Cel 37). For comprehensive understanding of biodegradability, not only methane production (MP), but also the structure (topography, microscopic analysis), tensile properties, and FTIR spectra of the materials undergoing anaerobic degradation (AD) analysed. PBS 37 and Pre-PBS 37 were visible in 100-day degradation, and the cumulative MP reached 25.5 and 29.3 L/kg VS, respectively (4.3–4.9% of theoretical MP (TMP)). The biofoils started to show damage, losing their mechanical properties over 35 days. In contrast, PBS 55 was visible for 14 days (cracks and fissures appeared), cumulative MP was 180.2 L/kg VS (30.2% of the TMP). Pieces of Cel were visible only during 2 days of degradation, and the MP was 311.4–315.0 L/kg VS (77.3–78.2% of the TMP) at 37 °C and 319.5 L/kg VS (79.3% of the TMP) at 55 °C. The FTIR spectra of Cel and PBS did not show shifts and formation of peaks. These findings showed differences in terms of the actual biodegradability of the bioplastics and provided a deeper understanding of their behaviour in AD, thus indicating limitations of AD as the final treatment of some materials, and also may support the establishment of guidelines for bioplastic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Separating n‐butene and i‐butene by adsorption is an energy‐efficient alternative, but designing porous adsorbents that distinguish the subtle differences between the isomers is extremely challenging. Currently, adsorbents that can sieve 1‐butene isomers and are stable enough to withstand humid gas mixtures are largely unmet. Herein, we propose a robust ultramicroporous metal–organic framework (MET‐Fe) that can separate 1‐butene isomers through molecular exclusion. The pore aperture size (4.6 Å) precisely matches the kinetic diameters of the isomers, as verified by static and kinetic adsorption experiments and theoretical calculations. Furthermore, dynamic breakthrough experiments confirmed the excellent separation performance, easy regeneration, and remarkable reusability of MET‐Fe in both dry and humid conditions. With its high selectivity, large breakthrough capacity, and outstanding stability, MET‐Fe provides an ideal platform for industrial butene isomers separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effects of different ZnO-decorated graphene (Graphene-ZnO) proportions on the comprehensive properties of Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites were investigated. The results show that the nanocomposites have stronger mechanical properties, higher thermal stability, greater crystallinity, better barrier ability, and excellent antibacterial property due to the influence of Graphene-ZnO. The tensile strength, crystallinity, melting temperature, thermal stability and barrier performance of the nanocomposites reached the maximum when Graphene-ZnO with a content of 0.2 phr was added. Compared with pure PBS, when Graphene-ZnO was added to PBS at 0.2 phr, the tensile strength, yield strength, elongation at break and moisture barrier performance of PBS were significantly increased by 22.5%, 31.34% ,62.84% and 42.57% respectively. This improvement in barrier performance might be attributed to the presence of Graphene-ZnO extended the penetration path of molecules and the coordination from PBS and Graphene-ZnO, so as to narrow the H2O transmission path. The results of the buried soil test show that the weight loss rate of the nanocomposite increased with increase Graphene-ZnO content, which may be caused by boundary defects between nanofiller and matrix, and poor compatibility at high content of Graphene-ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of long-chain branched structures into biodegradable polyesters can effectively improve the melt strength and blow-molding properties of polyesters. In this study, pentaerythritol (PER) was used as a branching agent to synthesize branched poly(butylene dodecanedioate) (PBD), and the resulting polymers were characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Proton Spectra (1H NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). It was found that the introduction of a small amount of PER (0.25–0.5 mol%) can generate branching and even crosslinking structures. Both impact strength and tensile modulus can be greatly improved by the introduction of a branching agent. With the introduction of 1 mol% PER content in PBD, the notched impact strength of PBD has been increased by 85%, and the tensile modulus has been increased by 206%. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry results showed that PER-branched PBDs exhibited improved crystallization ability compared with linear PBDs. Dynamic viscoelastics revealed that shear-thickening behaviors can be found for all branched PBD under low shear rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent years, the growing amounts and incorrect disposal of solid wastes have created serious negative environmental impacts, including land and water pollution. Chicken litter (CL) is a type of solid waste which is generated during chicken production, the appropriate final destination of which is still subject to technical discussion. Because CL is composed mostly of fibers, proteins, carbohydrates, and different minerals, the use of this material as a filler for the manufacture of polymer materials has been suggested. The main objective of the present work is the manufacture of polymer composites in situ polymerization using CL as a filler and succinic acid and 1,4‐butanediol as monomers, considering that the fiber content in CL is ≈20 wt%. The obtained poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites are characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), degradability in distilled water, and compression analyses. The results show that the addition of CL to the mixture do not affect the course of the polycondensation reaction significantly. Furthermore, compression tests show that the compressive strength of test pieces increases with the CL content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Poor mechanical and water barrier properties of starch‐based films severely restrict their applications as packaging materials. In this study, glycerol was combined with various small molecular esters (SMEs) with different molecular structures to plasticize high‐content starch/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (80/20, w/w) films (SPFs) prepared by extrusion blowing. The effects of co‐plasticization on the physicochemical properties and film‐forming mechanism of SPFs were investigated. RESULTS: The addition of glycerides to SPFs reduced intermolecular interaction, increased molecular chain mobility, and decreased glass transition, melting temperatures, and crystallinity. Mechanical and water barrier properties of SPFs were improved significantly with the co‐plasticization of glycerol and SMEs. The incorporation of triacetate glyceride increased tensile strength of SPFs by 54% and the water contact angle by up to 95°. The SPF with diacetate glyceride exhibited the minimum water vapor permeability, which decreased by 39%. CONCLUSION: The levels of hydrophilic/hydrophobic groups in SMEs and their molecular weights were essential for the plasticizing effects. Glycerides tended to infiltrate into starch for effective plasticization compared with citrates. The combination of glycerol and glycerides had better plasticizing effects on starch. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(butylene terephthalate) is a rigid polymer with poor elasticity and impact resistance. In this research, thermoplastic polyurethane is mixed with poly(butylene terephthalate) through injection molding to improve the impact strength and elasticity of the blend. The findings revealed that the blend had higher impact toughness but lower tensile and flexural strengths when compared to neat poly(butylene terephthalate). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mica is a variety of filler material with excellent barrier properties. In the present study, mica‐AKD was successfully prepared by treating sericite mica surface with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). The distribution and content of AKD in mica, the mode of its binding with mica and its surface properties were characterized by thermogravimetry, Soxhlet extraction, Fourier infrared analysis, the scanning electron microscope with energy spectrum and contact angle analysis. The results show that AKD was combined with mica through physical adsorption and chemical grafting, with the content of AKD in mica‐AKD exceeding 5 wt%. Due to AKD‐coated mica surface, mica‐AKD showed hydrophobicity. PCM and PCMa films were prepared by blending PBAT and PPC with mica and mica‐AKD, respectively. Given the same content, mica‐AKD has better compatibility with PBAT/PPC matrix, and PCMa films show better mechanical properties, lower water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability, and higher CDTR/OTR ratio, which has a good application prospect in fruit and vegetable preservation materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Plastics / Zhongguo Suliao is the property of Journal Office of CHINA PLASTICS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study highlights biodegradable and bio‐based polymer blends from poly(lactic acid), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) as potential filaments for additive manufacturing. Dog‐bone‐shaped parts were prepared using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique. To assess polymer compatibility, interface, and printing performance, vertical and horizontal models were prepared and compared. The ratios of PBS/PLA and PBS/PHB were fixed at 5:5 and 7:3 for this research, respectively. The design concept is based on combining high elastic modulus glassy polymers (PLA and PHB) with soft, ductile PBS. The addition of PBS enhanced thermal processing and rheological properties. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the blends produced high‐quality prints while maintaining the original resolution and input parameters. Tensile tests revealed that PBS/PLA blends had significantly higher performance properties than PBS/PHB blends. Vertical prints that coincided with strain direction produced significant plastic deformation in PBS/PLA blends, achieving uniform elongation values of up to 10.4% and elongation at break values exceeding 150%. PBS/PHB blends showed lower compatibility for FFF compared with PBS/PLA blends. Produced bio‐based prints showed an increase in elastic modulus and tensile properties distinct from pure‐polymers; thus, blends have excellent potential for tuning the mechanical properties of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu) and its bionanocomposites containing 1, 2.5, and 5 wt.% biochar (MSP700) were prepared via in situ melt polycondensation in order to investigate the thermal stability and decomposition mechanism of the materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were carried out to analyze the surface area of a biochar sample and PBSu/biochar nanocomposites. From XPS, it was found that only physical interactions were taking place between PBSu matrix and biochar nanoadditive. Thermal stability, decomposition kinetics, and the decomposition mechanism of the pristine PBSu and PBSu/biochar nanocomposites were thoroughly studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py−GC/MS). TGA thermograms depicted that all materials had high thermal stability, since their decomposition started at around 300 °C. However, results indicated a slight reduction in the thermal stability of the PBSu biochar nanocomposites because of the potential catalytic impact of biochar. Py−GC/MS analysis was employed to examine, in more detail, the thermal degradation mechanism of PBSu nanocomposites filled with biochar. From the decomposition products identified by Py−GC/MS after pyrolysis at 450 °C, it was found that the decomposition pathway of the PBSu/biochar nanocomposites took place mainly via β-hydrogen bond scission, which is similar to that which took place for neat PBSu. However, at higher biochar content (5 wt.%), some localized differences in the intensity of the peaks of some specific thermal degradation products could be recognized, indicating that α-hydrogen bond scission was also taking place. A study of the thermal stability and decomposition pathway of PBSu/biochar bionanocomposites is crucial to examine if the new materials fulfill the requirements for further investigation for mulch films in agriculture or in electronics as possible applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to evaluate the properties of butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) degraded after 1800 days of storage (DPBAT) by preparing blends (films) with crosslinked starch (Cm) through extrusion and thermocompression. Different ratios of DPBAT:Cm (70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 m/m) were prepared. The incorporation of Cm into DPBAT significantly changed the properties of the films by making them stiffer (increasing Young's modulus by up to 50%) and increasing the thermal resistance of DPBAT. The presence of crosslinked starch in the films made them less hydrophobic (with decreased contact angle and increased moisture content), but these parameters did not vary linearly with changes in the content of crosslinked starch in the blend (DPBAT:Cm). The microscopic images show an inhomogeneous distribution of Cm granules in the DPBAT matrix. Thus, the films prepared with PBAT show a significant decrease in their mechanical parameters and heat resistance after long-term storage. However, the preparation of blends of degraded DPBAT with crosslinked starch promoted changes in the properties of the films prepared by thermocompression, which could be useful for disposable packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose was extracted from coconut shell powder (CSP) as a renewable biomass resource and utilized as a reinforcing material in poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate) (PLA/PBS) solvent casting films. The extraction process involved delignification and mercerization of CSP. Microscopic investigation of the extracted microfibers demonstrated a reduction in diameter and a rougher surface characteristic compared to the raw CSP. The cellulose prepared in this study exhibited improved thermal stability and higher crystallinity (54.3%) compared to CSP. The morphology of the cycrofractured surface, thermal analysis, mechanical property, and UV transmittance of films were measured and compared. Agglomeration of 3 wt.% of cellulose was observed in PLA/PBS films. The presence of cellulose higher than 1 wt.% in the PLA/PBS decreased the onset decomposition temperature and maximum decomposition temperature of films. However, the films loading 3 wt.% of cellulose had a higher char formation (5.47%) compared to neat PLA/PBS films. The presence of cellulose promoted the formation of non-uniform crystals, while cellulose had a slightly negative impact on crystallinity due to the disruption of polymer chains at lower cellulose content (0.3, 0.5 wt.%). The mechanical strength of PLA/PBS films decreased as the cellulose content increased. Moreover, PLA/PBS film with 3 wt.% of cellulose appeared to show a 3% and 7.5% decrease in transmittance in UVC (275 nm) and UVA (335 nm) regions compared to neat PLA/PBS films while maintaining a certain transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermented polymers like biobased poly(butylene succinate) (BioPBS) have become more relevant as technical substitutes for ductile petrochemical-based polymers but require biogenic functional additives to deaccelerate undesired thermo-oxidative degradation and keep a fully biobased character. In this paper, the influence of coffee parchment (PMT) from two different varieties and processings on the thermo-oxidative stabilization and mechanical properties of poly(butylene succinate) composites up to 20 wt.-% PMT were investigated. Micronized with a TurboRotor mill, both PMT powders differ in particle size and shape, moisture ab- and adsorption behavior and antioxidative properties. It could be shown that pulped-natural PMT consists partially of coffee cherry residues, which leads to a higher total polyphenol content and water activity. The homogeneous PMT from fully washed processing has a higher thermal degradation resistance but consists of fibers with larger diameters. Compounded with the BioPBS and subsequent injection molded, the fully washed PMT leads to higher stiffness and equal tensile strength but lower toughness compared to the pulped-natural PMT, especially at lower deformation speed. Surprisingly, the fully washed PMT showed a higher stability against thermo-oxidative decomposition despite the lower values in the total phenol content and antioxidative activity. The required antioxidative stabilizers might be extracted at higher temperatures from the PMT fibers, making it a suitable biogenic stabilizer for extrusion processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary biodegradable polymers films, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), were prepared through batch melt mixing to obtain Film I and Film II under two different processing conditions. PGA crystals played a major role in enhancing the mechanical and barrier properties of the films. For Film I, there were initial PGA crystals before the film blowing process, the PGA molecular chain further crystallized, forming the oriented crystallization of PGA. Moreover, the Xc and crystalline size in Film I were higher than those in Film II. Compared with the different processing methods, Film I has excellent mechanical and oxygen barrier properties due to the crystallization and orientation. The tensile strength reached 45.0 MPa, and tear strength exceeded 138.2 kN/m, while the elongation at break was as high as 750% for PBAT/PGA 85/15 in Film I. The WVTR, WVP coefficients, and OP coefficients of PBAT/PGA films were decreased obviously with increasing the PGA content both in Film I and Film II. Moreover, the barrier properties of oxygen in Film I were better than that in Film II. This work reveals a feasible processing technique by introducing of initial crystallization of PGA to blow PBAT/PGA films with excellent mechanical and barrier properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural, mechanical, thermal and surface properties comprising biodegradable aromatic–aliphatic polymer poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and the wheat stalk-based nanocellulose (NCC) were studied. The materials were found to comprise the compatible and yet phase-segregated constituents which kept their identity in the nanocomposite materials. The NCC phase was found to be homogeneously dispersed in the PBAT matrix inside. Similar to the corresponding microcomposites, the investigated nanocomposites were found to be stable within their desired application temperature as packaging materials. The tensile properties of the nanocomposites degraded in terms of strain at break, tensile strength and tensile modulus. At higher filler content, the reinforcing effect dominated leading to an increase in indentation modulus and hardness, and a decrease in the work of elastic deformation. The wettability and the water absorption capacity of the materials increased with NCC content thereby enhancing the biodegradability of the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemo‐selectivity of titanium tetrabutoxide towards trans‐esterification reaction during polycondensation step in poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) synthesis has been improved by activating the free terminal carboxylic acids in PBS oligomer using trialkyl borates. It is anticipated that the addition of trialkyl borates converts the free terminal carboxylic acid groups in PBS oligoner into a highly reactive acyloxy boron intermediate, which in turn enhances the selectivity of titanium tetrabutoxide towards trans‐esterification reaction to give the corresponding relatively high molecular weight PBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, alumina nanoclusters have been synthesized by a "wet chemistry" approach directly in a regenerated oil. The produced alumina nanoclusters have a quasi-spherical shape with diameter size < 20 nm. A systematic study of their stability in regenerated Group I lubricant oil, with and without low amounts of viscosity modifiers, was performed. Tribological tests, at an optimum concentration of 0.1 wt. %, showed a significant reduction of friction coefficient and wear scar diameter up to 21 % and 11 % with the addition of polyisobutylene as viscosity modifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) incorporated with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) through in situ reactive blending is proposed to retard thermal shrinkage. Succinic anhydride (SA) with varied contents (0.01–0.5 phr) was used as a reactive compatibilizer to enhance miscibility between PLA and PBS phases. The success of PLA chemically bound with PBS chains through simple esterification to form PLA‐SA‐PBS phase is confirmed and quantified using an X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique. The binding energy intensity ratio of ester and hydrocarbon in the PLA/PBS/SA blend with 0.5 phr SA increases for two‐fold, as compared to the PLA/PBS blend. The good interfacial adhesion of PLA and PBS phases is achievable with SA content up to 0.1 phr. In addition, the PLA‐SA‐PBS molecules preferentially support crystallization of PBS phase with increased degree of crystallinity (Xc,PBS) by ~15%. These enhanced homogeneity of PLA/PBS/SA blend and high Xc,PBS trigger the increased tensile strength to 50 MPa, and substantially reduced oxygen permeation coefficient approximately 10 times. Remarkably, the interpenetration of PLA‐SA‐PBS phase in amorphous PLA region coexisting with uniformly dispersed PBS crystals inhibits the PLA chain relaxation and deformation at elevated temperatures, leading to maintaining dimensional stability of PLA/PBS/SA films without shrinkage at 100°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, equimolar amounts of poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(d‐lactide acid) (PDLA) were melt‐blended with PBSA, to obtain a novel and environmentally friendly PBSA/sc‐PLA blend, through in situ formation of stereo‐complex poly(lactic acid) (sc‐PLA). Differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometry confirmed the formation of sc‐PLA in PBSA matrix. The sc‐PLA was uniformly dispersed in PBSA matrix. Up to 20 wt% sc‐PLA concentration, the PBSA/sc‐PLA blends showed solid‐like flow behavior in the low‐frequency region. Moreover, sc‐PLA could reinforce the PBSA matrix. The Young's modulus, yield strength, and storage modulus of PBSA/sc‐PLA blend increased with increase in sc‐PLA content. In addition, the heat deflection temperatures of PBSA/sc‐PLA blends increased on incorporation of sc‐PLA, thus enhancing the heat resistance. Compared with neat PBSA, the hydrolytic degradation of PBSA/sc‐PLA blends was improved. This work provides an effective strategy to obtain high performance PBSA materials and expand the application scope of PBSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blending poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐ terephthalate) (PBAT) presents an effective approach to fabricate fully biodegradable polymer blends with tailored mechanical properties. This study investigated the composition on the mechanical properties and structure of PHBV/PBAT blend. The remarkable enhancement in elongation of the PHBV/PBAT blends was shown due to the ductile PBAT. The fracture behavior of the PHBV/PBAT specimens transited from brittle to ductile with the increase of the PBAT in the blends. Two different phases as a co‐continuous microstructure with a large interpenetrating structure indicate immiscibility between PHBV and PBAT in the PHBV/PBAT (50:50) specimen. The miscibility, intermolecular interaction, and mechanical properties of PHBV/PBAT blends were also investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. The results showed the immiscibility of PHBV and PBAT. The degradation temperature increased from 277 to 356°C with the increase of PBAT content in the PHBV/PBAT blend. Whereas the crystallinity ability of the PHBV component in the blend was confined by the PBAT phase, leading to a decrease in the overall crystallinity of PHBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the enzymatic degradation behavior of the polylactide (PLA)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blend systems by using their respective enzymes, proteinase K and lipase. In a previous report, l-PLA/PBS blend monolayers with ≥ 50 mol% l-PLA showed good compatibility and a slow hydrolytic rate. To support this study, the degradation behavior of the PLA/PBS blend systems was confirmed with Langmuir technique and AFM. The blend system with poor compatibility showed rapid degradability. However, as the amount of PLA exceeded 50 mol%, the degradation was insignificant because partial compatibility between the two polymers lowered the degradation rate of PBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the effect of the combination of micro-sized calcium carbonate (MCC) and nano-sized calcium carbonate (NCC) on the performance of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/poly(lactic acid)/calcium carbonate (PBAT/PLA/CaCO3) composites by using a comparative approach, the composites were prepared by melt mixing. The melting and crystallization of the composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics was investigated by using Jeziorny and Mo methods. The mechanical properties of the composites were test and the fracture surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Nano and micron calcium carbonates (nano-CaCO3 and micro-CaCO3) together improved the heat resistance of the composites more effectively than them alone. Mo method indicated that the crystallization rate of the composites containing both nano-CaCO3 and micro-CaCO3 was between the nano-CaCO3 composites and the micro-CaCO3 composites. The composite containing both 5 parts nano-CaCO3 and 10 parts micro-CaCO3 had the highest tensile, yield and impact strengths among the composites, but the composite containing both 11 parts nano-CaCO3 and 5 parts micro-CaCO3 had the lowest. SEM displayed that the morphology of the dispersed PLA in the composites with both nano-CaCO3 and micro-CaCO3 was different from that in the composites with nano-CaCO3 and micro-CaCO3 alone. Controlling the ratio of nano-CaCO3 and micro-CaCO3 achieved the synergistic enhancement in PBAT/PLA/CaCO3 composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic approach in improving the efficiency of titanium tetrabutoxide towards the synthesis of high molecular weight PBS is described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biobased poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) represents one promising sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers. Its sensitivity to thermo-oxidative degradation is one reason for its limited application. In this research, two different varieties of wine grape pomaces (WPs) were investigated as fully biobased stabilizers. WPs were prepared via simultaneous drying and grinding to be used as bio-additives or functional fillers at higher filling rates. The by-products were characterized in terms of composition and relative moisture, in addition to particle size distribution analysis, TGA, and assays to determine the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity. Biobased PBS was processed with a twin-screw compounder with WP contents up to 20 wt.-%. The thermal and mechanical properties of the compounds were investigated with DSC, TGA, and tensile tests using injection-molded specimens. The thermo-oxidative stability was determined using dynamic OIT and oxidative TGA measurements. While the characteristic thermal properties of the materials remained almost unchanged, the mechanical properties were altered within expected ranges. The analysis of the thermo-oxidative stability revealed WP as an efficient stabilizer for biobased PBS. This research shows that WP, as a low-cost and biobased stabilizer, improves the thermo-oxidative stability of biobased PBS while maintaining its key properties for processing and technical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the molecular structure of feedstock on the cracking reaction of C10 hydrocarbons to ethylene and propylene over H-ZSM-5 zeolite was investigated. To better compare the effect of decane on the production of light olefins, the thermal cracking and catalytic cracking performance of decane were first investigated. As a comparison, the thermal cracking and catalytic cracking of decane were studied by cracking over quartz sand and H-ZSM-5. Compared with the thermal cracking reaction over quartz sand, the catalytic cracking reaction of decane over H-ZSM-5 has a significantly higher conversion and light olefins selectivity, especially when the reaction temperature was lower than 600 °C. On this basis, the catalytic cracking reactions of decane and decene over H-ZSM-5 were further compared. It was found that decene with a double bond structure had high reactivity over H-ZSM-5 and was almost completely converted, and the product was mainly olefin. Compared with decane as feedstock, it has a lower methane yield and higher selectivity of light olefins. Therefore, decene was more suitable for the production of light olefins than decane. To this end, we designed a new light olefin production process. Through olefin cracking, the yield of light olefins in the product can be effectively improved, and the proportion of different light olefins such as ethylene, propylene and butene can be flexibly adjusted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the fact that the in‐situ fibrillation structure can enhance the polymer's macroscopic mechanical performance, a facile and cost‐effective strategy based on the pressure‐induced flow (PIF) processing was developed to produce ultra‐strong and super‐tough biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate) (PLA/PBS) blends. Under the action of external pressure field, the ductile and flexible PBS droplets deformed along the flow direction (FD) and shifted from spheroid to ellipsoid, eventually to nanofiber as the compression ratio (CR) increased. From the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results, it was found that the PBS droplets did not in‐situ take shape into nanofibrils until the CR reached to 4, and the PBS nanofibrils served as the central shish to induce the PLA molecular chain to crystallize in the perpendicular direction, resulting in nanohybrid shish‐kebab superstructures. The Raman spectra and differential scanning calorimetry results confirmed the enhancement effect of the CR on the orientation degree, lamellar thickness, and crystallization properties. Benefiting from the abundant interlocked hybrid shish‐kebabs, the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and impact strength of the PIF processing PLA/PBS blend (CR = 4) reached the maximum value of 106.4 MPa, 2332.4 MPa, and 87.4 kJ/m2, respectively, which were 116.7%, 40.1%, and 20.8‐folds higher than those of the common PLA/PBS blend. Overall, it is believed that the proposed methodology put forward a facile and cost‐effective way to produce PLA‐based in‐situ fibrillation reinforced composites for engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plastics Science & Technology / Suliao Ke-Ji is the property of Plastics Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wet blue leather is a waste produced by the leather industry. It is a difficult waste product to dispose of, and if not disposed of properly, it will affect the environment and cause toxicity. Therefore, recycling was considered as an alternative to waste disposal. In this study, polymer composites were prepared from two types of polymers, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and wet blue leather (WBL). A twin screw extruder and injection molding were used to prepare the composites. The effect of polymer type and WBL content (5, 10, and 15 wt%) on mechanical properties, thermal properties, flammability, MFI, water absorption, and morphology was investigated. All the polymer composites showed an increase in tensile and flexural strength, Young's modulus, and water absorption but decreased in elongation at break, impact strength, and flammability compared to neat polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the use of titanium tetraalkoxide in combination with trialkyl borate as an efficient catalyst system For the synthesis of high molecular weight PBS. It is observed that, the addition of trialkyl borates during polycondensation reaction results in the formation of high molecular weight PBS. This might be due to the activation of free terminal carboxylic acids in PBS oligomer by trialkyl borates via the formation of highly reactive acyloxyboron intermediate. A plausible mechanism for the activation of free terminal carboxylic acids by trialkoxy borates has also been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanates are widely used in the synthesis of polyesters, such as Poly (butylene succinate) (PBS), due to their excellent catalytic activity for polycondensation. However, the hydrolysis sensitivity of titanate and side reactions at high temperatures restrict the further improvement of the molecular weight of polyesters and lead to the high content of end carboxyl group content in the products. In this work, we prepared titania–silica composite aerogels with resistance to hydrolysis and large specific surface area, which were further explored as an efficient catalyst for polycondensation reactions. A series of titania–silica composite aerogel catalysts for PBS polycondensation were successfully prepared by the sol-gel method. The influence of a Ti/Si ratio on the surface morphology and structure of the aerogels was examined. Titania–silica composite aerogel exhibits the surface characteristics of high specific surface area and high Lewis acid content. The specific surface area of titania–silica composite aerogels can reach 524.59 m2/g, and the Lewis acid content on the surface can reach 370.29 μmol/g. Furthermore, the catalytic performance for the polycondensation reaction of PBS was investigated. The intrinsic viscosity of PBS synthesized by catalysis with the composite catalyst with a Ti/Si ratio of 9/1 reaches 1.74 dL/g, with the Mn of 7.72 × 104 g/mol. The hydrolysis resistance stability of the titania–silica composite aerogel is greatly improved compared with traditional tetrabutyl titanate (TBT), and the end carboxyl group content of PBS is effectively reduced to lower than 30 mol/ton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ternary blends of a high content of thermoplastic starch (TPS), poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were first melt-compounded in a twin screw extruder. The TPS contents in ternary blends were fixed at 60 wt%. The miscibility, morphology, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and thermal resistance of the blends were investigated. The results showed that dispersions of PBS and PBAT minor phases improved the tensile strength and elongation at break. TPS/PBS/PBAT60/10/30 formed a good balance in strength and toughness. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the blends exhibits an intermediate and peak suggesting the ternary blend is compatible. Minor phase-separated structure SEM results showed that TPS/PBS/PBAT60/10/30 blend formed a typical mixture with core−shell morphology. As the PBAT composition was increased, phase morphology changes occurred in the blends, leading to decreased values of complex viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus. Moreover, the thermal resistances and melt flow properties of the materials were also studied by analysis of the heat deflection temperature (HDT) and melt flow index (MFI) value in the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biodegradable plastics is gradually increasing, but its expensive cost limits promotion. In this study, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/thermoplastic hydroxypropyl starch reinforced with nano-silica (PBAT/TPHSg-SiO2) composite films with high hydroxypropyl starch content were prepared in a two-step process. The effect of reinforced thermoplastic hydroxypropyl starch on the mechanical, thermal, processing properties, and micromorphology of the composite films was investigated. The results showed that the tensile strength of the composite films was significantly improved by the addition of nano-silica, with 35% increase in horizontal tensile strength and 21% increase in vertical tensile strength after the addition of 4 phr of nano-silica. When the content of thermoplastic hydroxypropyl starch reinforced with nano-silica (TPHSg-4SiO2) is 40%, the horizontal and vertical tensile strengths of the films are 9.82 and 12.09 MPa, respectively, and the elongation at break of the films is over 500%. Electron micrographs show that TPHSg-4SiO2 is better homogeneously dispersed in the PBAT and exhibits a bi-continuous phase structure at a TPHSg-4SiO2 content of 40%. In this study, the blowing PBAT/TPHSg-4SiO2 composite films effectively reduce the cost and still show better mechanical properties, which are suitable for packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to study the effect of cheap bio-based monomer 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid on poly(butylene furandicarboxylate). Bio-based copolyesters were successfully synthesized by two-step melt polycondensation using 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (TDCA), 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Compared with FDCA, the price of TDCA is lower. The main purpose of this study is to add different amounts of TDCA to reduce the cost of polyester and to investigate the effect of TDCA on the properties of poly(butylene furandicarboxylate) (PBF). It can be determined that the expected copolymers were indeed synthesized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectra. DSC and WAXD results suggested that PBFTF27, PBFTF51 and PBFTF77 show isodimorphism behaviors. Because the angle between two carboxyl groups in TDCA is larger than that of FDCA, and the electronegativity of sulfur atom is weaker than that of oxygen atom, the glass transition temperature decreases due to the increase in the flexibility of the chain with the increase in TDCA. Compared with PBF, the toughness of poly(butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PBTF) and copolyesters increased significantly. Poly(butylene furandicarboxylate-co-butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) can be used in the packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactic acid/thermoplastic starch/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA/TPS/PBAT) blend is a promising biodegradable material for flexible packaging applications. However, this material still has insufficient mechanical and gas barrier properties for flexible packaging applications due to the immiscibility and random molecular orientation of the polymers. The objective of this work was to improve the performance of the blend using the biaxial stretching process. The effect of the biaxial stretching parameters (stretching rate and annealing time) on the morphological, mechanical, thermal, and gas barrier properties of PLA/TPS/PBAT (40/40/20) films was investigated. The stretching rate and annealing time were varied in the ranges of 22.5–300 mm/s and 0–180 s, respectively. The biaxial stretching parameters affected the morphology of the stretched films of PLA/TPS/PBAT blend. Results obtained from X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry revealed that biaxial stretching increased ordered structure and crystallinity of PLA and PBAT. For unannealed stretched films, increasing the stretching rate from 22.5 to 300 mm/s led to reduced crystal sizes of PLA, from 17.1 to 9.0 nm, and PBAT, from 17.6 to 12.3 nm. However, increasing the annealing time enlarged the crystals of both polyesters, especially PLA. The crystallinity of biaxially oriented films determined from PLA increased with stretching rate and annealing time, from 6 up to 34%. The increased ordered structure and crystallinity of PLA/TPS/PBAT films led to improved tensile strength and oxygen barrier property, approximately twofold and tenfold, respectively, when biaxial stretching was performed at a stretching rate of 150 mm/s and annealing time of 60 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spherulitic morphology and crystallization behaviors of binary crystalline blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and polyarylate (PAr), based on bisphenol A, (27:73 isophthalic:terephthalic acids), are investigated herein. PBT and PAr crystallize simultaneously or sequentially; various crystallization behaviors and morphologies are observed. In the PBT-rich blends, PAr does not crystallize; the PBT spherulites coarsen as the PAr concentration increases. Non-crystallizable PAr is trapped inside the spherulites. The PBT spherulitic growth rate decreases when PAr is added and remains constant thereafter. For the 50/50 blends, PBT and PAr crystallize simultaneously, and their spherulites co-exist separately. The spherulitic growth rate of PBT increases with time while PAr is crystallizing, but it remains constant if PAr crystallizes prior. At a crystallization temperature of 250 °C, only PAr crystallizes; the non-crystallizable PBT is expelled from the PAr spherulites because the crystallization rate of PAr is low. The spherulites of PAr do not fill the space in the final crystallization stage. The crystallization rate of the binary crystalline PBT/PAr blends was notably influenced by the prior crystallization of the other component, and was due to the change of the amorphous composition in addition to the constraints of the crystals on the chain mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the stability of oil in water emulsion of butylene lactone, a natural environmental protection antifouling agent.The effects of emulsifier type, compounding ratio, emulsifier dosage, oil phase volume ratio, pH value change, emulsifying time, emulsifying temperature, stirring speed and other parameter variables on emulsion stability were screened from both experimental raw materials and preparation process.The result showed that the compounding ratio of emulsifier anionic and non-ionic emulsifier is 1∶2,the emulsifier addition ratio is 5% by mass of butylenactone, the oil phase volume accounts for 30% by volume of water and oil, the pH value is controlled at 6.5,the stirring speed is 500 r/min, the emulsifying time is 20 min, and the emulsifying temperature is 20 ℃,the emulsifying stability value is the highest, and the prepared emulsion has good stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new mild and efficient tin and titanium based catalyst combination have been explored for the synthesis of high molecular weight poly(butylene succinate). The new catalyst system is found to be more efficient and hydrolytically—as well as thermally—stable even at 250°C. Additionally, this new catalyst system is capable of producing very high molecular weight poly(butylene succinate) polymer in good yield even at lower temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoplastic materials have received extensive attention for their excellent mechanical properties and reproducibility, and have been emerging in lightweight accessories. However, for the traditional thermoplastic vulcanized (TPV) rubber, the dynamic vulcanization process makes it difficult to achieve low density and good compression performance. Herein, lightweight propylene butene copolymer/ethylene propylene diene monomer (PPB/EPDM) blend foam was prepared by static vulcanization of PPB and EPDM blend and supercritical nitrogen (sc‐N2) foaming technology. The minimum density and compression set of the PPB/EPDM blend foam were 0.065 g/cm3 and 13.6% respectively, a significant improvement was obtained compared with TPV. In addition, the PPB/EPDM blends retained the mechanical properties after seven times reprocessing, and the blend foam had similar cell structures to that of dynamic vulcanized TPV foam because of the phase transition of PPB/EPDM blend during reprocessing. This work provided an idea for the preparation of high‐performance, lightweight, and recyclable thermoplastic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Poly(butylene succinate-co-terephthalate) is a biodegradable polymer with good biodegradability, high flexibility and toughness. However, its relatively low modulus, low yield strength and low heat distortion temperature limit its applicability. Herein, equimolar poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide acid) (PDLA) were blended with PBST to form stereocomplex poly(lactic acid) (sc-PLA) in situ during melt blending process and prepare a novel and environmentally friendly PBST/sc-PLA blend. Differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction confirmed that sc-PLA had formed in PBST matrix. The morphology of the cryo-fractured surfaces of PBST/sc-PLA blends showed that the sc-PLA was uniformly dispersed in PBST matrix. When the content of sc-PLA is up to 20 wt%, the PBST/sc-PLA blends showed a solid-like flow behavior at the low-frequency region. Moreover, sc-PLA could reinforce the PBST matrix. Young's modulus, yield strength and storage modulus of the PBST/sc-PLA blend increased with increasing sc-PLA content. In addition, the Vicat softening temperature and heat deflection temperatures of PBST/sc-PLA blends increased with the incorporation of sc-PLA, which enhanced the heat resistance. Compared with neat PBST, the hydrolytic degradation of the PBST/sc-PLA blends was improved. This work provides an effective way to obtain high performance PBST materials which could expand the application of PBST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aliphatic and aromatic polyesters of hydroxycarboxylic acids are characterized not only by biodegradability, but also by biocompatibility and inertness, which makes them suitable for use in different applications. Polyesters with high enzymatic hydrolysis capacity include poly(lactic acid), poly(ε-caprolactone), poly(butylene succinate) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate). At the same time, poly(lactic acid) is the most durable, widespread, and cheap polyester from this series. However, it has a number of drawbacks, such as high brittleness, narrow temperature-viscosity processing range, and limited biodegradability. Three main approaches are known for poly(lactic acid) modification: incorporation of dispersed particles or low molecular weight and oligomeric substances, copolymerization with other polymers, and blending with other polymers. The review includes an analysis of experimental works devoted to developing mixtures based on poly(lactic acid) and other polymers. Regularities in the formation of the structure of such systems and the possibility of controlling the properties of poly(lactic acid) are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of stannous chloride as a mild and efficient catalyst system towards PBS synthesis is described in detail. A plausible mechanism has also been proposed for the synthesis of medium to high molecular weight PBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable films of poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/thermoplastic starch (TPS)/beeswax have been prepared by solution casting method. Beeswax has been used as a hydrophobic content to improve the water barrier properties of the films. The prepared films have been characterized for tensile properties, morphology, water absorption, and water vapor permeability. Tensile strength of the films initially increases with the addition of beeswax and then decreases with increase in beeswax content. Tensile strength of film with 0.5 wt% of beeswax is about 213% greater than the film without beeswax. Water absorption percentage of films decreases gradually from 18.7% in film without beeswax to 0% with an increase in amount of beeswax, i.e., 0.5wt%, 1wt% and 2wt% due to the hydrophobicity of beeswax. Water vapor permeability of these films reduces upon increasing the amount of beeswax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work focused on the development and characterization of biocomposites based on a fully bio-based polyester, poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA), and wheat bran derived by flour milling. PBSA-bran composites containing 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.% of wheat bran were produced via melt extrusion and processed by injection molding. Their thermal, rheological, morphological, and tensile properties were investigated. In addition, a biodegradation test in a natural marine environment was conducted on composite dog-bones to assess the capacity of the used filler to increase the PBSA biodegradation rate. The composites maintained similar melt processability and mechanical properties to virgin PBSA with up to 15 wt.% bran content. This result was also supported by morphological investigation, which showed good filler dispersion within the polymer matrix at low-mid bran content, whereas poor polymer-filler dispersion occurred at higher concentrations. Furthermore, the biodegradation tests showed bran's capacity to improve the PBSA biodegradation rate, probably due to the hygroscopic bran swelling, which induced the fragmentation of the dog-bone with a consequent increase in the polymeric matrix–seawater interfacial area, accelerating the degradation mechanisms. These results encourage the use of wheat bran, an abundant and low-cost agri-food by-product, as a filler in PBSA-based composites to develop products with good processability, mechanical properties, and controlled biodegradability in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to compare the performance of two Hytrel-like segmented copolymers: "classic" PBT-b-PTMG and fully bio-based PBF-b-PTMG, containing poly(butylene furanoate) as the rigid segment. The idea behind this research is to assess whether the sustainable copolymers can successfully replace those "classic" once at the thermoplastic elastomers' market. Two series of copolymers were synthesized under the same process parameters, had the same compositions, but differed in aromatic ring structure in terephthalate/furanoate unit. Furthermore, the materials were processed by injection moulding as typical Hytrel products. Then, the samples were subjected to extensive characterisation including NMR, GPC, FTIR, DSC, WAXS, DMTA, TGA techniques and mechanical tests with particular interest in the microstructure formed during processing and its effect on the copolymers' mechanical and elastic behaviour. The detailed analysis proved that PBF-b-PTMG and PBT-b-PTMG copolymers represent two kinds of materials with similar chemical structure, some features of thermoplastic elastomers, but evident differences in their physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodegradable polymer poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) starts decomposing at room temperature. Kaolin clay (KO) was dispersed and blended into PBAT composites using a solution-casting method. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the structure and morphology of the composite materials. PBAT/kaolin clay composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The PBAT composite loaded with 5.0 wt% kaolin clay shows the best characteristics. The biocomposites of PBAT/kaolin [PBC-5.0 (37.6MPa)] have a good tensile strength when compared to virgin PBAT (18.3MPa). The oxygen transmission rate (OTR), with ranges from 1080.2 to 311.7 (cc/m2/day), leads the KO content. By including 5.0 wt% kaolin 43.5 (g/m2/day), the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of the PBAT/kaolin composites was decreased. The pure PBAT must have a WVTR of 152.4 (g/m2/day). Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli) food-borne bacteria are significantly more resistant to the antimicrobial property of composites. The results show that PBAT/kaolin composites have great potential as food packaging materials due to their ability to decrease the growth of bacteria and improve the shelf life of packaged foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three blends of Poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) and Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends were modeled using molecular dynamics simulations, with PBF contents of 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively. The study investigated the compatibilities of the blends, as well as the mechanical and gas barrier properties of the composite systems. The molecular dynamics simulation results show that: (1) PLA and PBF have good compatibility in the blend system; (2) the optimal toughness modification was achieved with a 20% PBF content, resulting in a 17.3% increase in toughness compared to pure PLA; (3) the barrier properties of the blend for O2, CO2, and N2 increased when increasing the PBF content. Compared to pure PLA, the diffusion coefficients of the O2, CO2, and N2 of the blends with 30% PBF decreased by 75%, 122%, and 188%, respectively. Our simulation results are in good agreement with the actual experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the development and usage of degradable plastics instead of traditional plastics is an effective way to solve the pollution of marine microplastics. Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is known as one of the most promising biodegradable materials. Nevertheless, the degradation rate of PBAT in water environment is slow. In this work, we successfully prepared four kinds of high molecular weight polyester copolyesters (PBATGA) via quaternary copolymerization. The results showed that the intrinsic viscosity of PBATGA copolymers ranged from 0.74 to 1.01 dL/g with a glycolic acid content of 0–40%. PBATGA copolymers had excellent flexibility and thermal stability. The tensile strength was 5~40 MPa, the elongation at break was greater than 460%, especially the elongation at break of PBATGA10 at 1235%, and the thermal decomposition temperature of PBATGA copolyesters was higher than 375 °C. It was found that PBATGA copolyester had a faster hydrolysis rate than PBAT, and the weight loss of PBATGA copolymers showed a tendency of pH = 12 > Lipase ≈ pH = 7 > pH = 2. The quaternary polymerization of PBAT will have the advantage of achieving industrialization, unlike the previous polymerization process. In addition, the polymerization of PBATGA copolyesters not only utilizes the by-products of the coal chemical industry, but also it can be promising in the production of biodegradable packaging to reduce marine plastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]