Definition
Polymers with ester (primarily –CO2–) linkages in the polymer backbone result in the ability to undergo slow degradation; polyesters are typically biocompatible and biodegradable. (Polymers with an ester substituent pendant to the polymer backbone are not categorized as polyesters.)
Introduction and Historical Background
The first known natural polyester was shellac, which is secreted by the female lac insect. In ancient Egypt, it was used to embalm mummies, whereas it is now used in nail polish and as a primer coating on wood and other objects. Therefore, the first uses of polyesters were as adhesives and coatings, applications that are now served by alkyd resins.
A more recently explored class of natural polyesters is the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which are produced from carbon sources such as glucose by many microorganisms when under stress and accumulate as intracellular granules [1]. The PHAs are biocompatible and biodegradable and therefore applicable to...
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Wright, C., Pugh, C. (2015). PET and Other Polyester Synthesis. In: Kobayashi, S., Müllen, K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Polymeric Nanomaterials. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36199-9_372-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36199-9_372-1
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