Synthesis and Characterization of Green Biodegradable Palm Oleic Acid Based Polyester

The palm oleic acid-based polyester was prepared from epoxidized oleic acid (EOA) as a monomer through the polycondensation polymerization at 120 °C with different polymerization times (6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 hr), respectively. The synthesized palm oleic acid-based polyester (POABP) showed about 97% yield. The FTIR spectrum showed the peaks of C=O and C-O of the ester carbonyl group appeared at 1735 cm-1 and 1244 cm-1, respectively. The 1H NMR showed the proton ester group -COO-CH- appeared at 4.7 ppm, while the 13C NMR showed C=O ester appeared at 173.79 ppm, respectively. The polyester molecular weights were between 1963 g/mol to 5501 g/mol and having a glass transition temperature of -19°C. The thermal degradations of the polyester occurred at temperatures higher than 328°C. The synthesized palm oleic acid-based polyester may be used as a precursor in the plastic industry.