A Review on Properties and Application of Bio-Based Poly(Butylene Succinate)

Abstract

Researchers and companies have increasingly been drawn to biodegradable polymers and composites because of their environmental resilience, eco-friendliness, and suitability for a range of applications. For various uses, biodegradable fabrics use biodegradable polymers or natural fibers as reinforcement. Many approaches have been taken to achieve better compatibility for tailored and improved material properties. In this article, PBS (polybutylene succinate) was chosen as the main topic due to its excellent properties and intensive interest among industrial and researchers. PBS is an environmentally safe biopolymer that has some special properties, such as good clarity and processability, a shiny look, and flexibility, but it also has some drawbacks, such as brittleness. PBS-based natural fiber composites are completely biodegradable and have strong physical properties. Several research studies on PBS-based composites have been published, including physical, mechanical, and thermal assessments of the properties and its ability to replace petroleum-based materials, but no systematic analysis of up-to-date research evidence is currently available in the literature. The aim of this analysis is to highlight recent developments in PBS research and production, as well as its natural fiber composites. The current research efforts focus on the synthesis, copolymers and biodegradability for its properties, trends, challenges and prospects in the field of PBS and its composites also reviewed in this paper.

Keywords: biodegradability; copolymers; mechanical; physical properties; poly butylene succinate.

Figure 1

Bio-based polymers production capacities from 2011 to 2020 [14]. PLA: polylactic acid; PHA: polyhydroxyalkanoate; PA: polyamide; PBAT: poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate); PBS: poly(butylene succinate); PET: polyethylene terephthalate; CA: Cellulose acetate; PU: polyurethane. Adapted with permission from Aeschelmann and Carus (2015).

Figure 2

Chemical structure of poly butylene succinate [42]. Adapted with permission from AKanemura et al. (2012).

Figure 3

Synthesis of PBS [43]. Adapted with permission from Yu et al. (2011).

Figure 4

Reaction of maleic anhydride to succinic acid [45]. Adapted with permission from Αδαμοπούλου (2013).

Figure 5

Reaction of succinic acid into 1,4-butanediol to produce PBS [46]. Adapted with permission from Delhomme (2009).

Figure 6

Synthesis of poly(butylene succinate) via the N435-catalyzed co-polymerization of succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol with succinate anhydride [50]. Adapted with permission from Azim et al. (2006).

Figure 7

Structure of homopolyesters poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu), poly(butylene adipate)(PBAd) and copolyesters poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) via polycondensation process [55]. Adapted with permission from Díaz et al. (2014).

Figure 8

Synthesis of poly(butylene azelate-co-butylene succinate) copolymers [56]. Adapted with permission from Park et al. (1998).

Figure 9

Synthesis of the aliphatic copolyesters [49]. Adapted with permission from Jiang and Loos (2016).

Figure 10

Synthesis of the aliphatic copolyesters of poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol-co-isosorbide 2,5-furandicarboxylate) [47]. Adapted with permission from Kasmi et al. (2018).

Figure 11

Typical moisture uptake curves at 30 C and 90% RH [72]. Adapted with permission from Nam et al. (2012).

Figure 12

(A)Tensile strength and (B) elongation at break of PBS/cotton fiber composite [8]. Adapted with permission from Calabia et al. (2013).

Figure 13

DSC curves of PBS and PBS/kenaf fiber (KF) composites isothermally melt-crystallized at 100 °C [86]. Adapted with permission from Pinho et al. (2009).

Figure 14

Thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermograms (DTG) curves of PBS, chopstick hybrid fiber (CF), PBS/CF (80/20 wt%), and PBS/CF (60/40 wt%) composites [8]. Adapted with permission from Calabia et al. (2013).

Figure 15

PBS Application.

Figure 16

Mechanism plastic degradation by microorganism [151]. Adapted with permission from Sun and Lin (2019).