Biodegradation of new series of aliphatic copolyesters by fungi

Biodegradable aliphatic random copolyesters poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate), PBSA and poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene azelate), PBSAz were synthesized from 1,4 butane diol, succinic acid and adipic acid/azelaic acid through direct melt polycondensation with Titanium Tetra isopropoxide (TTiPO) as a catalyst. These polyesters were characterized by Viscosity measurements, 1H NMR spectroscopy, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Thermal properties have been analysed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). We have studied the biodegradation behaviour of these polyesters by Aspergillus versicolor fungi. The fungal degradation rates for the polyesters were observed and compared. The changes in the structure morphology during the degradation process were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It appears that the key factor affecting the degradation was its crystallinity. This kind of novel biodegradable polymers are expected to have potential applications as environment friendly materials.