Synthesis and characterization of poly(propylene terephthalate/2,6-naphthalate) random copolyesters

Poly(propylene terephthalate/2,6-naphthalate) random copolyesters (PPT-PPN) were synthesized and characterized from the molecular and thermal point of view. All the polymers showed a good thermal stability. The main effect of copolymerization was a lowering in the crystallinity and a decrease of Tm respect to homopolymers. WAXD measurements indicated that PPT-PPN copolymers are characterized by isodimorphic cocrystallization. The defect free energies, calculated on the basis of the inclusion model proposed by Wendling and Suter, indicated that the amount of PT units incorporated in the poly(propylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PPN) β crystals is higher than the amount of PN units which cocrystallizes in the poly(propylene terephthalate) (PPT) crystalline phase, probably due to the larger molar volume of PN units compared to PT ones. Amorphous samples showed a monotonic increment of Tg as the content of PN units is increased, due to the stiffening effect of naphthalene rings in the chain. Finally, the Fox equation described well the Tg-composition data.