1. Introduction
Soon after the discovery of high molecular weight aliphatic polyesters by Carother and Hill in 1932, polyesters gained the attention of academia and industrial researchers due to their potential applications [
1]. Advanced polymers have gained attention due to their potential applications in the field of catalysis [
2], sensors [
3], flexible electronics [
4], medical [
5], textile, and packing [
6]. Broadly, polymers are divided into two categories based on their composition: aliphatic and aromatic. Aliphatic polymers contain aliphatic diol and aliphatic diacid parts. However, the low thermal, mechanical, and hydrolytic properties of these materials restrict their commercial applications. Aromatic polymers contain aromatic diacid and/or aromatic diol part and they are well known for their exceptional thermal, mechanical, hydrolysis, and chemical resistance properties [
7,
8,
9]. Among numerous broad range of polymers, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) have found widespread applications in the field of textiles, electronics, the packaging industry, and molded plastic parts [
4,
6,
10,
11,
12]. Whinfiel and Dickinson reported PET as plastic and fiber in 1949 [
13]. Because of the wide range of applications of PET, researchers have a keen interest to synthesize new copolyesters with superior mechanical and barrier properties compared to parent PET. Due to the commercial applications, the performance demands of PET are increasing rapidly. The suitability of PET as a flexible film substrate for electronic devices [
4], textile fibers [
14] thermoplastic resin [
15], transparent and shrinkable films, and elastomers [
16,
17] have already been explored. But, we cannot use PET at an elevated temperature due to its high crystallization and low glass transition temperature (T
g). The barrier properties especially moisture barriers property of PET drops rapidly above its T
g. So, PET is not suitable for making products that require a moisture barrier at an elevated temperature (above 100
oC). There are two most widely used approaches to improve the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of PET. 1
st by introducing some fillers like graphene [
16], silica nanoparticles, or nanotubes [
18,
19] in the PET resin, and 2
nd by controlling the chemical structures of polyesters themselves. Recently many efforts have been attempted to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of copolyesters by copolymerization and reactive blending of polyesters [
20,
21,
22].
The commercial importance and applications of aromatic polyesters increased tremendously since the first reported preparation of high molecular weight Poly(ethylene naphthalene 2,6-dicarboxylate) (PEN) in 1969 [
23]. Polyesters with aromatic moieties have attracted attention for decades due to their huge engineering thermoplastic market [
24,
25,
26,
27]. PEN is well known aromatic polyester having superior barrier and thermal properties (T
g 120
oC PEN vs 81
oC PET). Due to the presence of a double naphthalene ring of PEN polymer, they have superior thermal stability, excellent mechanical properties, very high chemical resistance, and dimension stability, which makes it an ideal candidate as a performance material for applications in the engineering thermoplastic market, biosensor, flexible electronic devices, and wide range of high-temperature applications [
28]. The high thermal stability of PEN makes it suitable for high-temperature applications [
27,
29]. However, the high birefringence of PEN film, the necking phenomenon that occurred during the biaxial stretching of PEN, and the high cost of monomer, 2,6-naphthalenedicarbxylic acid (NDA) used for the synthesis of PEN renders their extensive applications in versatile areas. Thus, it has gained the attention of scientists and researchers to find alternative ways to utilize the superior barrier, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of PEN at relatively low cost.
The breakthrough in the polyester industry was the discovery of poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT) homopolyester prepared from terephthalic acid (TPA) and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) in 1959 [
30]. Compared to PET, PCT has higher T
g (88 vs 80
oC), T
m (300 vs 260
oC), superior chemical resistance, and attractive tensile and barrier properties [
12]. However, the limited processing window of PCT homopolymer acts as an obstacle to its commercial applications. The incorporation of a varying amount of CHDM into PET has resulted in the synthesis of a new class of amorphous to highly crystalline copolyesters. These CHDM-based copolyesters rapidly find a strong position in the commercial market of polyesters. Now a day, CHDM-based copolyesters have a wide range of commercial applications. The performance properties of copolyesters can also be tuned by incorporating the second diacid or second diol.
Numerous pieces of literature are available which emphasize the CHDM diol moiety to improve the thermal, physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of polymers [
12,
31,
32,
33]. Not only the CHDM content but stereochemistry of CHDM (cis / trans isomers content) can also improve the comprehensive properties of the resulting polymers [
34,
35,
36,
37]. Trans-CHDM isomers are considered to be more stable than their analogous cis-CHDM isomers [
38]. Kibler el. al. disclosed that the melting behavior of PCT can be improved by increasing the content of trans-CHDM from 0% to 100% (T
m 248
oC vs 308
oC) [
30]. Not only T
m but T
g of PCT homopolymer is also increased linearly by increasing the trans-CHDM content from 0 to 100% (60 vs 90
oC). However, the crystallization rate is not similar for different compositions of PCT homopolymer. PCT homopolymer has a limited processing window which can be controlled by introducing other diacid units into the molecular backbone. When a small amount of isophthalic acid (IPA) is incorporated in the PCT polymer backbone it widens the processing window at the expense of T
g and T
m [
39]. This modified PCT copolymer is called acid modified PCT (PCTA).
This review provides detailed information on advanced polyesters based on cycloaliphatic CHDM. Effects of second diacid, second diol, and stereochemistry of monomers are discussed in detail. Mainly, PCT homopolymer, glycol-modified PCT, CHDM-modified PET, acid-modified PCT, and the effect of the stereochemistry of monomers and their potential commercial applications are discussed in detail. A new class of biobased PCT copolymers is also discussed in detail in later sections.
2. 1,4-Cyclohexandimethanol (CHDM) and Its Stereoisomers
CHDM is a commercially available diol with a reasonable price, and it is widely used for the synthesis of CHDM-based aliphatic and aromatic polyesters. It effectively improves the unique characteristics of synthesized polymers. There are three main isomers of CHDM; 1,2-CHDM, 1,3-CHDM, and 1,4-CHDM. The study of 1,2-CHDM, and 1,3-CHDM-based polyesters and copolyesters is beyond the scope of this review. Traditionally, CHDM was synthesized on a commercial scale by hydrogenation of dimethylene terephthalate (DMT), by a two-step process. Scheme for the synthesis of synthesis of CHDM from DMT is shown in
Figure 1 [
40,
41,
42]. In the first step DMT is converted into dimethyl cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DMCD) by treatment of hydrogen in the presence of catalyst (Pd) and in the second step DMCD is reduced into CHDM
Single-step preparation of CHDM by hydrogenation of DMT has also been proposed in the presence of either a bimetallic nano-catalyst [
43] or a supported tri-metallic nanocluster (Ru
5PtSn). These nanocatalysts facilitate the hydrogenations of DMT and allow carrying out the modification reaction with high efficiency at mild conditions (100
oC, 20 bar) compared to conventional methods [
44]. Wei et al. developed a method for preparing DMCD by a continuous hydrogenation process and prepared the CHDM with high activity and selectivity [
45]. Recently, monomer waste (BHET) of PET is converted into CHDM in the absence of any kind of solvent using Pd/C and Cu-based metallic catalysts [
46]. Yancheng et al. successfully prepared CHDM from bio-based materials. This green synthesis approach provides a potential alternative to the conventional methods which involve hazardous materials [
47]. However, some additional reports disclose the methods for the preparation of high trans-CHDM [
41,
48]. Both, Eastman Chemical Company USA and TCI Japan are the main producers of company of CHDM in the world. CHDM is produced as a mixture of cis/trans- isomers 70/30 trans/cis-CHDM isomers and almost all commercial polyesters are synthesized from this CHDM. The Stereochemistry of CHDM directly influences the properties of synthesized polyesters which will be discussed in detail later on. Cis- and trans-CHDM isomers are shown in
Figure 2.
2.1. Aliphatic Polyesters and Copolyesters Containing CHDM and Their Applications
CHDM has been extensively used for the synthesis of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters and copolyesters with potential applications in versatile areas. Generally, these copolyesters are synthesized by a two-step melt polymerization or enzymatic polymerization process. Two-step polycondensation of HCDM, sebacoyl chloride, 1,4-cyclohexane diamine, and their improved mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability behavior have been reported [
49]. Recently, Tsai et al. synthesized a series of biodegradable aliphatic copolyesters by enzymatic polymerization of 1,3/1,4-CHDM with succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol. They successfully tuned the properties of resulting copolymers by controlling the amount of incorporated CHDM [
50]. Hansen et al. also reported the enzymatic polymerization of aliphatic copolyesters containing CHDM as a diol moiety, and succinic acid, atopic acid, and suberic or sebatic acid as a diacid moiety, using Cutinase from Humicola insolens, however moderate molecular weights of these polymers limits their applications [
51]. Barret et al. successfully synthesized the poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol itaconate) thermoset polymer by single-step enzymatic polymerization and they analyzed its mechanical and biocompatible properties. They found that this material can be a strong candidate as a future biomaterial [
52]. Now a day, almost all cycloaliphatic polyesters are synthesized using 1,4-CHDM and 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxyklic acid (CHDA). Polycondensation of CHDM with CHDA for the synthesis of high molecular weight cycloaliphatic poly(1,4-cyclohexylene 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate) (PCCD) has been the objective of many researchers. Compared to CHDM diol moiety, the cyclohexane ring structure of CHDA are stable in both, cis- and trans-CHDM configurations. As the trans-CHDA isomer content (mole %) is increased the T
g and T
m of obtained polyesters are increased in a linear trend. So, the high molecular weight thermoplastic aliphatic polyesters are synthesized by using trans-CHDA isomers. However, compared to CHDM, cis-/trans-CHDA isomers can easily revert to their equilibrium mixture (68/32%: trans/cis) in the presence of a suitable catalyst at high melt polycondensation temperature [
39]. Xiaodong et al. synthesized a series of poly(butylene-co1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene carbonate) (PBCC) and studied the effect of CHDM on the performance properties of synthesized biodegradable PBCC. They observed that thermal stability, mechanical, and heat distortion properties of PBCC random copolymers are increased linearly by increasing the CHDM content [
53]. Thermal degradation behavior and other performance properties of biodegradable aliphatic poly(butylene 1,12-dodecanedioate) random copolyesters were also effectively improved by incorporating the cycloaliphatic 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid units into the molecular backbone. It was found that trans-CHDA isomers improve the performance properties of synthesized aliphatic polymers in linear trend [
54]. Recently, Seul et al. successfully tuned the fragile properties of isosorbide (ISB) based polycarbonate by incorporating the second diol. A series of biodegradable copolycarbonates of ISB, cycloaliphatic CHDM, and diphenyl carbonate were synthesized by two step melt polymerization. CHDM content greater than 50 mole % improves the ductility of obtained polyesters. However, T
g of synthesized polymer is decreased as we increased the content (mole %) of CHDM because the resultant polymer have lesser amount of rigid heterocyclic ISB [
55].
Figure 3 shows the chemical structure of various aliphatic polyesters [
56].
Brunelle et al. filed a patent on the synthesis of PCCD, they successfully obtained the cycloaliphatic polymer by optimizing the monomer feed ratio and reaction conditions [
57]. Later on, they successfully synthesized the stereoregular polymer by optimizing the reactions conditions like temperature, catalyst, and time. Reactions conditions were optimized to prevent the isomerization of trans-CHDA isomers and they successfully obtained PCCD polymers with molecular weight of 75,000-80,000 [
58]. High molecular weight polyoxaesters having acceptable thermal and hydrolysis properties have been synthesized by melt polymerization of CHDM with oligo(ethylene glycol) diacid in the presence of suitable catalyst. Possible potential biomedical applications of these absorbable polyoxaesters as sutures coatings and adhesion prevention barriers have been proposed [
59].
applications
- 1-
Sutures
- 2-
Adhesion prevention barriers
- 3-
UV resistant
In short, it is evident from literature that cycloaliphatic polyesters have been prepared using various monomers and synthesis approaches. Compared to aromatic polyesters, cycloaliphatic polyesters have good UV stability, good optical, and good weatherability properties. These cycloaliphatic polymers may have potential applications as weather-able materials and biomaterials. A detailed study of is required in order to explore the wide range applications of these cycloaliphatic polymers.
2.2. Thermally Stable Aromatic Polyesters and Copolyesters Containing CHDM
Thermoplastic polyesters have gained the attentions of academia and industrial researchers because of their wide range of domestic and technical applications [
4,
6,
10,
11,
12,
60]. Synthesis of high molecular weight aliphatic polyesters was first reported by Carother and Hill [
1]. But, inherent poor hydrolytic stability, low glass transition temperature and melting temperature of aliphatic polyesters strictly abandoned their commercial applications. Whinfield and Dickson reported novel aromatic poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) having acceptable T
g and T
m in 1949 [
61]. However, high crystallinity and low T
g of PET (81
oC) limits its commercial applications at an elevated temperature. Mechanical, chemical and barrier properties of PET can be improved by adding rigid cycloaliphatic 1,4-CHDM diol into the backbone of aliphatic polyester. 1,4-CHDM is commercially available in the form of a mixture of cis-/trans-CHDM isomers (70/30 %). Kibler et al. disclosed the synthesis process and thermal properties of poly (1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) (PCT) in 1964. Eastman Kodak company successfully synthesized the semi crystalline PCT fiber and marketed in the fiber industry with the trade name of Kodel for a long time until it was discontinued in 1980 [
36]. Nowadays PCT is synthesized by two-step melt polymerization from either NDA or DMT as diacid moiety and CHDM as diol moiety. PCT and copolyesters of PCT have superior thermal, mechanical, chemical, and barrier properties than PET [
62]. Commercial PCT is highly crystalline with high T
m (295
oC), T
g (about 90
oC), and thermal degarationstability and it is cheaper than liquid crystalline polymers (LCP). PCT has superior thermal and mechanical, and hydrolytic stability properties but similar flow during the molding when compared with conventional PET and PBT polymers. Amorphous copolyesters containing rigid and bulky CHDM have variety of commercial application as injection molded polymers for medical and electronics applications [
12,
63]. However, both high crystallinity and high melting temperature (295
oC) of PCT (narrow processing window) act as obstacles during the melt polymerization. So, the commercial application of PCT copolyesters as a film have been restricted by these properties. For general plastic applications, process-ability of PCT polymer must be improved by modifying it with diacid or diol components.
5. Polymeric Substrates for Flexible Electronics
Neither PET, PEN, and PCT homopolymers, nor their copolyesters of are new polymers, but they have attracted the considerable attention of researchers, due to their remarkable thermal, chemical, mechanical, gas-barrier, and hydrolysis properties. It has been be a great effort to introduce a synthesis of new polyester having comprehensive properties of three polyesters mentioned so far, that is, PET, PCT, and PEN. In this study, the synthesis of a series of poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate-co-1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate) (PCTN) copolymers containing CHDM as diol, and TPA and NDA as diacid, was attempted. The vital role of CHDM configuration (cis/trans isomer) on hydrolytic stability, thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of copolyesters was studied in details. Based on this work, we will be able to develop a polymer which can find its unique applications as a performance material in the field textile, packaging industry, printing and embossing films, and electronic devices.
Flexible electronics have gained the considerable attention of researchers these days. These electronics are thin, light weight, robust, conformable and roll able. In addition, OLEDs materials and active matrix of thin film transistor (TFTs) arrays can be laid down by solution casting and ink jet printing of plastic based substrate. Which in turns, reduce the processing cost effectively in high volume using roll to roll processing. However, to replace glass, flexible plastic substrate materials must have performance properties comparable to glass; smooth surface, chemical resistance, barrier, thermal stability and very low CLTE. But, flexible glass is fragile and by nature and it handing is also very difficult. Until now, no plastic substrate materials are reported which can meet the performance properties required for flexible substrate materials for OLEDs. Surface roughness, clarity, thermal, thermomechanical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties are major properties required for flexible substrate materials suitable for displays. In addition to bottom-emitting displays, substrates materials for OLEDs must have good optical properties. Thermal properties of polymeric substrate (CLTE, T
g, T
m), especially T
g must be compatible with device fabrication process temperature (T
max). Thermal mismatch between flexible polymeric substrate and device films may results in device breakage. One of the major concerns about the flexible substrate material for OLEDs is their dimensional stability. It should not contaminate the device and it should also have good barrier properties. It should be inert against the chemicals used during the device fabrication [
119,
120]. The standard moisture vapor transmission rate and oxygen permeability of flexible substrate materials for displays are 10
-6 g/m
2/day and 10
-5 cm
3/m
2/day [
121]. Good mechanical properties of substrate support the device and improve its impact resistance. Eclectically insulating polymeric substrates improves the device efficiency by minimizing coupling capacitances.
Previously, semi-crystalline: PEN and PET thermoplastic homopolymers, non-crystalline: polycarbonate (PC) and polyethersulphone (PES) thermoplastic polymers, and materials with high T
g: polyarylate (PAR), polyimide (PI) and poly cyclic olefin (PCO) were considered to be strong candidates for flexible substrates. Among all candidates for flexible substrate, PC, PES, PAR, and PCO polymers are relatively more transparent and they have superior T
g than PET and PEN. However, these copolyesters have low chemical resistance and large coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) compared to PET and PEN. PET, PEN, and PI have attractive performance properties. They have relatively small CTE (15, 13, and 16 ppm/
oC, respectively), good mechanical properties, and acceptable chemical resistance used during the process. PET and PEN good optical (transmittance > 85%) and water absorption (0.014%) properties. However, inferior thermal properties of PET and PEN have limited their practical applications in the field of flexible electronics. In contrast to PEN, PI has very good thermal properties but its yellow color and water absorption properties renders its applications. While, water and oxygen permeation rates of conventional materials, being used as substrate for flexible displays are 1-10 g/m
2/day and 1-10 cm
3/m
2/day, respectively [
120]. Until now, no polymer is reported which can meet the demanding requirements (water and oxygen permeation) for organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays. Comparison of different properties of conventional materials (PET, PEN, glass, steel, and PI) used for base substrate for flexible electronics is summarized in
Table 4 [
119,
120].
A lot of advanced research for the synthesis and development of advanced polymer substrates as a smart film for flexible electronics is carried out in the recent years. Currently PI is the widely used polymeric substrate for flexible electronics. The performance charaacterisitics including physical, thermal, mechanical, and barrier characteristics of the randomly oriented, uniaxial oriented, and biaxially oriented advanced polymeric substrates in comparison with conventional PI polymeric substrates are summarized in
Table 5 [33,104,105,122,123,124]. It is important to note that there is a potential to develop transparent polymeric substrates with good barrier, optical, and thermal characterics that can replace the yellow PI having higher water absorption. Such advanced polymer substrates can be used not only as substarte but also they can be used at the top of the flexible electronics. Such flexile polymeric smart films with low birefengence and good transmittance also have the potential to replace the brittle glass of the flexible displays.
6. Future Recommendations for 1,4-Cycloheanedimethanol (CHDM) and Cyclic Monomer-Based Advanced Polyesters
The advanced polymeric materials containing CHDM and cyclic monomers such as TPA, NDA, IPA, ISB etc. has found a strong position among polymers and they have a laid a strong foundation for the development and chracterization of innovative materials with versatile industrial applications. However, to extend the research in this field, many key areas should be explored. Firstly, the detailed study for the synthesis and characterizarion of novel cyclic monomers with superior characteristics should be done to expand the library of available monomers that are the building blocks of resultant polymeric materials. It can be achieved by finding the alternative synthesis methos, catalysts, and optimized reaction conditions to reaction efficiency and yield of the reaction. Furthermore, a detailed study of the structure-property relationships of the advanced polyesters is critical to understand the impact of various monomers structure on the resultant polymers. It would help to design and optimization of polyesters with controlled perdormance characteristics including mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties for specific applications.
Not only the fundamental research related to the monomer but the research related to the sustainable and environmentally friendly approached for the synthesis and processing of CHDM-based polyesters is also very important. The used biobased raw materials and green synthesis approaches including biobased or bio-inspired approaches should be explored. This may include the using of biobased renewable materials, developing efficient and selective catalysts, implementation of energy-efficient reaction conditions. Development of recycling process and detailed investigation regarding the biodegradation behavior of these materials would contribute to their sustainability and circularity. In order to commercialize these materials, industry and academia collaboration should be fostered. Industrial collaborators can provide valuable insights into the scalability and commercial viability of the developed polymeric materials. The collaborators can also help to identify the specific industrial requirements and challenges for the development of tailord materials that can find a strong position in the coomerical market. Additionally, interdisciplinary collaborations is also necessary that involve researchers and scientist from polymer chemistry, material science, engineering, and industrial design fields. It can lead to holistic approaches in material development, addressing not only the synthesis but also the processing, functionalization, and application aspects. Finally, applications of advanced polyesters in various fields including automotive, electronics, textile, packaging, or biomedical sectors, should be pursued to explore the full potential of these advanced polyesters in versatile industries.
7. Conclusions
Conclusively, the recent advances in the development of 1,4-cycloheanedimethanol (CHDM) and cyclic monomer-based advanced polyesters have indicated that these advanced copolyesters have the potential to be used for the smart film fabrication with versatile industrial applications. It is also showcased that they have the potential to find a streng position among other performance materials. These advanced polyesters have unique structure due to amorphous and semi-crystalline nature, which leads to exceptional performance beahviour such as thermal, mechanical, optical, and barrier (water and thermal barrier) characteristics, making them suitable for use in textiles, packaging, and flexible electronics.
This review also highlights the influenced of structure-property relationship for determining the desired performance characteristics of the resultance polymers. It has been shown that the addition of a second diol or diacid in the main backbone of the molecular chain significantly enhances the performance of synthesized copolyesters, indicating that they are adaptable for various industrial applications. Furthermore, it is also highlights that the crucial role of the stereochemistry of the monomers in optimizing the properties of these materials, enabling tailored solutions for specific applications.
The various polymer synthesis approaches such solution, melt, and solid-state polymerization are also explored that gave a considerable insights into the synthesis of these innovative polymeric materials. The potential for using sustainable and biodegradable cyclic monomers, along with green synthesis approaches, signifies a promising direction for future research, which would be in line with the increasing focus on environmental sustainability.
Even though cyclic monomer-based polyesters and CHDM have made significant strides, there are still issues that need to be resolved. These include the requirement for more thorough research on the synthesis and characterisation of these materials, the creation of more effective and environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques, and the search for novel cyclic monomers with improved characteristics.
Overall, this comhensive review article has given a thorough summary of the state of CHDM and cyclic monomer-based polyesters for use in smart film applications. It is anticipated that the knowledge gathered from this review will stimulate more study and research in this area, eventually resulting in the development of novel materials that may satisfy the changing needs of diverse sectors. In order to overcome the obstacles and realize the full potential of these improved polyesters in smart film applications, academics and industry must continue to collaborate.