Synthesis and characterization of elastic aliphatic polyesters from sebacic acid, glycol and glycerol

A series of biodegradable polyesters have been prepared from sebacic acid (SA), glycol (Go) and glycerol (Ge) through a two-step process. First the linear prepolymers were prepared from SA and Go, then crosslinked polyesters were obtained from the prepolymer and Ge with different molar ratios. The resulting samples were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Dynamic Contact Angle tests (DCA) and mechanical tests were also investigated. The enzymatic degradation studies were performed at 37 °C in phosphate buffer solution with porcine pancreas lipase. The resultant polyesters were transparent, flexible, insoluble in organic solvents, and the surfaces of the polyesters were hydrophilic. Young’s modulus, tensile strength, glass transition temperature (T_g) and the degree of enzymatic degradation increased with increasing the content of Ge. It was also worth noticing that the surface content of -COOC- groups was a key factor in the enzymatic degradability.