Linear and branched polyester resins based on dimethyl-2,5-furandicarboxylate for coating applications

In this study, novel bio-based hydroxyl-end-capped (co)polyesters from dimethyl-2,5-furandicarboxylate (DMF), 2,3-butanediol, and a variety of comonomers viz. glycerol, pentaerythritol or trimethylolpropane are prepared using a solvent-free, bulk polycondensation technique. Extensive molecular and thermal characterization was performed to elucidate the properties of these materials. The materials showed suitable properties for solvent-borne coating applications in terms of their molecular weight, functionality and thermal characteristics, and coatings were prepared using the isocyanurate of hexamethylene diisocyanate as a cross-linker. The resulting coatings, having thicknesses between 30 and 55 µm, were hard but rather brittle. All the coatings have good solvent resistance, pointing to sufficient network formation. It is clear that the presented DMF-based polyesters show promise as bio-based coating resins.