Biodegradability of polyesters comprising a bio-based monomer derived from furfural

摘要

Development of novel biodegradable monomers is indispensable for affording high-performance biodegradable polymers. In addition, a monomer that is synthesized from biomass is preferable as this enhances the overall sustainability of the resulting biodegradable polymer. Bio-based polyoxabicyclates (POBCs) comprising ox-abicyclodicarboxylic anhydride (OBCA), which are flexible and transparent materials, were derived from an inedible bio-based chemical, i.e. furfural. Herein, we evaluated the biodegradability of the POBCs using biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)-biodegradation testing and the clear-zone formation method. We observed that the environmental biodegradability of the POBCs depended on the length of diol methylene units. The BOD biodegradabilities of POBCs comprising 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,10-decanediol were more than 85%. Furthermore, two bacteria formed a clear zone on the emulsified medium containing POBC with 1,4-butanediol. These results indicated that OBCA could be adopted as a novel biodegradable monomer.