Blending of bio- and petroleum-based polycarbonates: Degradation and mechanical properties
Abstract
The environmental persistence of polycarbonate materials poses significant challenges for sustainable polymer design. To address this issue, this study investigates the alkaline hydrolysis stability and degradation behavior of blends composed of conventional bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPA-PC) and bio-based isosorbide polycarbonate (Bio-PC). BPA-PC remained highly resistant to alkaline hydrolysis, showing no measurable change in Mn, while Bio-PC underwent conventional hydrolytic chain scission, reflected in a 5.9% Mn reduction. The blend with Bio-PC 15 wt% shows a 20.4% reduction in Mn but negligible Tg change, supporting a selective leaching mechanism where chain scission produces low-molecular-weight oligomers without affecting bulk thermal stability.
Fields of Study & Subjects
biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites
Polymer crystallization and properties
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 770
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 874–884
- Publication date
- 2 February 2026
- Language
- EN