Degradable and Nanosegregated Elastomers with Multiblock Sequences of Biobased Aromatic Mesogens and Biofunctional Aliphatic Oligocarbonates

Abstract

We have developed multiblock aromatic/aliphatic condensation polymers, comprising side-chain biofunctionalized aliphatic oligocarbonates and biobased aromatic ester triad mesogens up to 17 wt %. Nanosegregation of the aromatic mesogen-rich domains with diameters of approximately 10 nm from the soft aliphatic polymer matrix is suggested by atomic force microscopy. The polymers exhibit rubberlike properties, unlike the corresponding aliphatic polycarbonate forming viscous liquid. These properties support the interchain interactions between the aromatic mesogens, which can serve as physical cross-linking. The aromatic ester triad mesogens in the multiblock polymers significantly bolster the tolerance to organocatalytic hydrolysis and methanolysis of the polymer chains but are eventually degraded. The multiblock polymers show degradation behavior slightly faster than poly(L-lactide), whereas poly(ethylene terephthalate) remains intact under the same condition. The present study demonstrates the efficacy of aromatic ester triad mesogens incorporated into the sequences of biodegradable aliphatic polycarbonates to enhance their physical properties while retaining degradability.