Partially renewable copolyesters prepared from acetalized D-glucitol by solid-state modification of PBT

The backbone of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) was modified with 2,4:3,5-di-O-methylene-D-glucitol (Glux) using solid-state modification (SSM). The obtained copolyesters proved to have a non-random overall chemical microstructure. The thermal properties of these semicrystalline, block-like, Glux-based materials were extraordinary, showing higher melting points, and glass transition temperatures compared with other sugar-based copolyesters prepared by SSM. These remarkable thermal properties were a direct result of the inherently rigid structure of Glux and the relatively slow randomization of the block-like chemical microstructure of the Glux-based copolyesters in the melt. SSM proved to be a versatile tool for preparing partially biobased copolyesters with superior thermal properties