Investigation of the mechanical properties and degradation of ester-free poly(trimethylene carbonate) derivatives bearing various bulky aromatic groups

Ester-free trimethylene carbonate derivatives bearing bulky aromatic groups were designed and synthesized, including those with one or two benzyl groups, diphenylmethyl groups, and triphenylmethyl groups. The polymerization reactions of these monomers were investigated with several initiators. The mechanical properties of the polymers were determined with compressive tests, resulting in approximately 0.3 MPa at most. The degradation behaviors were also evaluated in lipase solutions and aqueous 0.01 M NaOH for several weeks, which revealed that the substituents impeded degradation in most cases. The degradation processes were slow, and they were analyzed with weight loss, SEM, SEC, TGA, and DSC studies. Ester free type trimethylene carbonate derivatives bearing bulky aromatic groups were designed and synthesized, including one or two benzyl groups, diphenylmethyl groups, and triphenylmethyl groups. The mechanical properties of the polymers were estimated by compressive test, resulting in around 0.3MPa at most. The degradation behaviors were also evaluated under Lipase solution and 0.01M NaOHaq. for several weeks, revealing the substituents influenced on the prevention of degradation at most cases. The degradation behavior was slowly observed, which were analyzed by weight loss, SEM images, SEC, TGA, and DSC.