Crystallization of biodegradable and biobased polyesters: Polymorphism, cocrystallization, and structure-property relationship

摘要

In the past two decades, synthetic biodegradable and biobased polyesters have emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-derived polymers for diverse range of applications. Most of the synthetic biodegradable and biobased polyesters are semicrystalline. Some of these polymers can exist in a variety of polymorphs depending on the crystallization and processing conditions. In addition, blends or copolymers can exhibit cocrystallization behavior (such as stereocomplex, isomorphic, and isodimorphic crystallization). Polymorphic crystallization and cocrystallization of polymers plays an essential role not only in the scientific understanding of condensed matter structures of polymers, but also in the technological development and application of this new class of materials. This paper reviews the recent progress in the understanding of the polymorphic crystallization, co-crystallization, and structure property relationship of synthetic biodegradable and biobased polyesters that has occurred within the past decade. Particular focus is on the structure, morphology, formation kinetics, and phase transition of crystals grown from biodegradable and biobased polyesters. Since the physical properties of polymers depend on their crystal structure and morphology, we also reviewed the relationships between the crystallization and processing conditions, crystalline structure and morphology, and physical properties (e.g., mechanical and biodegradability) of biodegradable and biobased polymorphic, cocrystallizable polyesters. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.