Synthesis, Properties, and Biodegradation of Sequential Poly(Ester Amide)s Containing γ-Aminobutyric Acid

Poly(ester amide)s are attracting attention because they potentially have excellent thermal and mechanical properties as well as biodegradability. In this study, we synthesized a series of novel poly(ester amide)s by introducing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) regularly into polyesters, and investigated their properties and biodegradabilities. GABA is the monomer unit of biodegradable polyamide 4 (PA4). The new poly(ester amide)s were synthesized from the reaction of ammonium tosylate derivatives of alkylene bis(γ-aminobutylate) and p-nitrophenyl esters of dicarboxylic acids. All the obtained polymers showed relatively high melting temperatures (T(m)). Their thermal decomposition temperatures were improved in comparison with that of PA4 and higher enough than their T(m). The poly(ester amide)s exhibited higher biodegradability in seawater than the corresponding homopolyesters. Their biodegradabilities in activated sludge were also studied.