Renewable and super-toughened poly (butylene succinate) with bio-based elastomers: Preparation, compatibility and performances

Poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) is one of the most mature Bio-based plastics in the current market. However, its excellent mechanical properties are disappointed eclipsed by its inherent poor toughness. Herein, a novel bio-based elastomer poly (2,3-butanediol-co-1,4-butanediol-co-succinate) (PBBS) was designed and synthesized from three bio-based monomers in order to improve the toughness of PBS. Butanedio and succinic acid were used to ensure a good compatibility between PBBS and PBS, while 2,3-BDO was introduced into PBBS to inhibit the crystallization of PBBS and promote high elasticity of PBBS. Besides, 2,3-BDO could tailor the compatibility between PBBS and PBS and helps to adjust the phase separated structure. The elongation at break and impact strength of the PBBS/PBS blend could improve from 350% and 4.7 kJ/m² to 525% and 41.7 kJ/m² compared with the neat PBS. The synthesized PBBS shows a super toughing effect on PBS without any compatilizer, which could contribute to a wider application of PBS.