Synthesis and evaluation of biodegradable copolyesters of octadecane-1,18-dicarboxylic acid and poly(ε-caprolactone) diol

Copolyesters of poly(ε-caprolactone) diol and 1,18-octadecane dicarboxylic acid were synthesized by polyaddition. The copolymers have a "mixed" structure of 'polyester-polyethylene'. Characterization was carried out by using 1H and 13C NMR, FT-IR, viscosities, DSC, and GPC. The tensile strength varied from 11.9 to 19.9 MPa, and elongation at break varied from 370 to 660 %, respectively. Biodegradability was evaluated by enzymatic hydrolysis (lipases from Rhizopus arrhizus and Candida cylindracea and an esterase form hog liver) and by soil burial test. Both tests showed that the copolyesters were characterized by enhanced biodegradability.