Modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) by copolymerization of plant-derived α-truxillic acid with excellent ultraviolet shielding and mechanical properties

Abstract Ultraviolet-shielding poly(ethylene α-truxillate-co-ethylene terephthalate) (PETT) was synthesized via the addition of α-truxillic acid (TA) as a third monomer in the copolymerization modification of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The effects of TA, with its semi-flexible/semi-rigid special structure, on the chemical structure, thermal properties, crystallization behavior, ultraviolet blocking properties, and mechanical properties of PETT were then investigated. Thermal analysis revealed that a small amount of TA significantly reduced the crystallinity and melting temperature of PETT but did not affect its thermal stability. Notably, the material exhibited excellent thermal properties in processing applications. With the addition of only 10 wt%, PETT could block ~100% of the ultraviolet spectrum (