Conformational Evaluation of Novel Alternating Polyesters

The current drive for more environmentally responsible use of plastic materials is driving the search for polymers that are more readily degradable, but retain the materials performance properties of the non-degradable commodity plastics currently in use. Alternating polyesters, formed by combination of cyclic-anhydrides and epoxides, are proposed as an ideal candidate for chemical recycling, which provides closed loop recycling of plastics and keeps the raw stcok items in circulation. These polymers are starting to be developed towards commercial use, rapid tailoring to required properites is challenging due to the lack of structure-property data available. Processing requirements (solvents/temperatures) are also yet to be optimised. Here we aim to determine the solution properties of a family of these alternating polymers in order to better understand how to target structural optimisation and efficient processing.