Bio-degradable polymers are polymers prone to degradation by the catalytic activity of enzymes, accompanied by lowering of their molar mass.
Biodegradable poly(alkylene dicarboxylate)s derived from biobased monomers have an additional interest as above indicated and specifically those obtained from diols like 1,3-propanediol, BDO and 1,10-decanediol, and dicarboxylic acids such as those based on carbohydrates and SA, adipic acid, sebacic acid and fatty acids.
Biodegradable Poly(alkylene dicarboxylate)s Having Rigid Aromatic or Carbohydrate Units
Incorporation of aromatic moieties allows increasing the strength and performance properties of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters. Thus, these aliphatic-aromatic polymers appear an ideal solution to get fully biodegradable materials with properties similar to commodity polyethene as polyethene.
Nevertheless, the use of these aromatic derivatives as biodegradable materials may be restricted in some cases by legislation when a minimum content from renewable resources should be required.