Poly(Butylene Succinate). Functional Nanocomposite Materials and Applications

Abstract

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is one of the biodegradable polymers that has attracted major attention to replace the non-biodegradable and pollutant petroleum-based polymers. This chapter presents current research on the preparation, properties and application of PBS. Easy processing and good balance in thermo-mechanical properties make this polymer suitable for applications in sectors such as food packaging, agriculture, and medicine, among others. In recent years, much research work has been done in developing biodegradable polymer nanocomposites and PBS has been considered one the most promising platforms, not only because it can compete with some of the major commercial polymers (polyethylene and polypropylene) but also because it offers the possibility of being processed by different free-solvent techniques like extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, foaming, etc. Lately, PBS has been loaded with different carbon allotropes to make it an electro- and thermo-conductor. Biodegradable PBS-based nanocomposites with reinforced and functional properties could find application in modern technologies such as those required in electronics, robotics, biosensors, etc. High performance biodegradable nanocomposites, including those prepared with PBS, will certainly contribute to alleviate actual and future environmental problems.