Synthesis of a green functional carbon dioxide-based polycarbonate using bio-based monomers

A PPC-dodecyl glucoside (PPC-APG) polymer was synthesized by the terpolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO₂), propylene oxide (PO), and the bio-based monomer APG for the first time. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of PPC-APG were significantly improved compared with those of conventional polypropylene carbonate (PPC), and its glass transition temperature (T_g) was increased by 14°C compared with that of PPC. The 5% heat loss temperature (T_d,−5%) and total heat loss temperature (T_d,max) of PPC-APG were increased by 89.1 and 92.1°C, respectively, compared with those of PPC. The tensile strength of PPC-APG was increased to 25.6 MPa, its elongation at break was decreased to 125.1%, and its thermal elongation and permanent deformation were reduced to 97.2% and 62.9%, respectively, which improved the processability of the material. In addition, the introduction of bio-based monomers also rendered PPC-APG functional, and its surface tension reached a maximum of 61.3 mN/m at a concentration of 0.05 g/mL, with a good degradability. The higher surface tension and enhanced degradability of PPC-APG indicate its potential for application as a plastic printing substrate.