Novel biobased poly(trimethylene 2,5-furanoate-co-trimethylene dodecanedioate) PTFcoDod copolymers for sustainable packaging

New biobased aliphatic-aromatic flexible copolymers based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, 1,3-propanediol and long aliphatic dicarboxylic acid (dodecanedioic acid) were synthesized by melt polycondensation. The structure of poly(trimethylene 2,5-furanoate-co-trimethylene dodecanedioate) (PTFcoDod), as well as their thermal, mechanical and barrier properties were examined. Selected copolymers were also tested for thermally induced shape memory properties. Gas barrier tests displayed that the prepared copolymers had satisfactory barrier properties, comparable or even better than polymers like PET, PLA and PBAT. Tensile testing confirmed the excellent mechanical properties of PTFcoDod films that, depending on the composition, are characterized by either high tensile strength and stiffness or great flexibility, with an elongation at break exceeding 300 %. Last, lab-scale degradation tests in compost showed that the PTFcoDod copolymers were biodegradable, with a rate in line with their composition. The obtained results are a continuation of research on bio-based random aliphatic-aromatic copolymers and indicate the wide potential of the obtained materials, especially for applications as both rigid and flexible environmentally friendly packaging.