High performance long chain polyesters via melt copolymerization of cutin-inspired monomers

Abstract

Biopolymers have exhibited potential as sustainable and circular replacements to existing commodity thermoplastic polymers. However, current biopolymers are limited by poor thermomechanical performance compared with their petroleum-derived counterparts. Herein, we report a simple strategy to achieve good mechanical properties in bio-inspired long-chain polyesters via melt copolymerization. By combining mono- and poly-hydroxyl functionalized long chain fatty acids, we show that tough, semi-crystalline materials can be produced that outperform related biopolymers in terms of their thermomechanical behavior. We envision that long-chain polyesters derived from hydroxylated fatty acids represent an ideal platform to create the next generation of commodity thermoplastics that possess advantaged properties, inherent biodegradability, and feedstock stability.