Comparison of the properties of bioderived polycarbonate and traditional bisphenol-A polycarbonate

Bioderived polycarbonate (ISB-PC) was synthesized via transesterification and polycondensation of isosorbide (ISB) and diphenyl carbonate (DPC) using lithium acetoacetone as a catalyst. The resulting ISB-PC exhibited high glass transition temperatures similar to bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPA-PC) and was thermally stable up to 350 ℃. The incorporation of isosorbitol into the polymer chain imparted an improved mechanical property of ISB-PC, such as a higher bending and tensile modulus and higher elongation at break. ISB-PC can be readily cast into transparent films with a tensile strength of 73.3 MPa and a tensile modulus of 534 MPa. ISB-PC displayed high UV transmittance and possessed blue fluorescence under UV irradiation. At the same time, ISB-PC also has strong anti-yellowing ability.