One- and two-step synthesis of paramylon mixed ester derivatives and the substitution effect on mechanical properties and seawater biodegradability

• PaAcHex was synthesized using three different processes, with the two-step (AcHex) method showing higher DS on C2 and C4. • Introduction of Hexanoate group enhanced the flexibility and processability of PaAcHex. • Two-step (AcHex) method resulted in materials with both good thermal processability and controlled marine biodegradability. Paramylon acetate hexanoate (PaAcHex) with total DS=1.7 was prepared by one- and two-step methods with acetylation and hexanoylation in different order (denoted as AcHex and HexAc) in homogeneous DMAc/LiCl. The distribution of substitution at various ring carbon atoms (C2, C4, and C6) of PaAcHex synthesized by different methods was determined by 1 H NMR spectroscopic analysis. The AcHex mixed esters showed a higher DS of long-chain Hex on C2 and C4 than the other samples. All mixed esters were amorphous and their glass transition temperatures ( T g ) were obtained from DMA measurements. PaAcHex with higher DS of hexanoate groups had lower T g and their melt films showed higher flexibility at the same total DS for all three series of samples. PaAcHex films produced by the two-step (AcHex) method exhibited high toughness even with a low DS of hexanoate groups, whereas those synthesized by the one-step and two-step (HexAc) methods were weak and brittle. Biochemical oxygen demand tests indicated that the mixed esters prepared by the two-step (AcHex) method underwent a two-step degradation process, which may be related to the hexanoate groups on C2 and C4. Short–long chain acylation by the two-step (AcHex) method was found to be the optimal synthesis technique for polysaccharide esters that displayed favorable thermoplasticity and controllable seawater biodegradation behavior. These polysaccharide esters show promise as bioplastic materials.