Synthesis and biodegradation studies of 1,3-propanediol based aliphatic poly(ester carbonate)s

A series of poly(ester carbonate)s were obtained from adipic acid, 1,3-propanediol and diethyl carbonate in the presence of catalyst Ti(OBu)4 by polycondensation and transestrification process. The amount of monomeric composition was varied in order to get the polymer of different composition. The structure, average molecular weight and physical properties of poly(ester carbonate) were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, solubility, solution viscosity, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and XRD analysis. Biodegradability of poly(ester carbonate)s was investigated by hydrolytic (pH 7.2 and 11.5), enzymatic using Rhizopus delemar lipase at 37 °C and soil burial test. The biodegradation rate observed was more for poly(ester carbonate) containing 40% and 10% of diethyl carbonate due to their low crystallinity.