Architecting Branch Structure in Terpolymer of CO2, Propylene Oxide and Phthalic Anhydride: An Enhancement in Thermal and Mechanical Performances

Poly(propylene carbonate phthalate) (PPC-P) is a chemically modified poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) biodegradable thermoplastic by introducing phthalic anhydride (PA) as the third monomer into the copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO) and CO 2 . To enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of PPC-P, a branching agent pyromellitic anhydride (PMDA) was introduced into the terpolymerization of PO, PA and CO 2 . The resulting copolymers with branched structure, named branched PPC-P, can be obtained using metal-free Lewis pair consisting of triethyl borane (TEB) and bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride (PPNCl) as catalyst. The products obtained were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy and their thermal, mechanical properties and melt processability were evaluated by DSC, TGA, tensile test and melt flow index (MFI) measurement. The obtained branched PPC-P has a high molecular weight up to 156.0 kg·mol −1 . It shows an increased glass transition temperature ( T g ) higher than 50 °C and an enhanced tensile strength as high as 38.9 MPa. Noteworthily, the MFI value decreases obviously, indicative of an improved melt strength arising from the branched structure and high molecular weight. What is more, the branched PPC-P exhibits reasonable biodegradability, which demonstrates the great potential as a new green thermoplastic for the family of biodegradable plastics.