Poly(ethylene2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) is in the spotlight as a newly emerged biobased
polyester in recent years. Usually, PEF exhibits very slow and weak meltcrystallization behavior. In this study, PEF synthesis via transesterification polycondensationmethod catalyzed by 1,8-diazabicylo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as an organicnonmetallic catalyst was attempted. PEF with moderate molecular weight(intrinsic viscosity 0.54 dL/g) and low diethylene glycol furandicarboxylateunit content (DEGF 1.7%) was successfully synthesized and the meltcrystallization kinetics and melting behavior were investigated. TheDBU-catalyzed PEF exhibited rapid melt crystallizationin both nonisothermal and isothermal manners. At cooling rate of 10 oC/min,a melt crystallization peak appeared around 158 oC withcrystallization enthalpy of 29 J/g. DSC and WAXD results indicated acrystallinity of 27-34% after sufficient isothermal meltcrystallization at 160-210 oC. A minimum of melt crystallizationhalf time, 1.6 min, appeared at 160 oC. The equilibrium meltingpoint of PEF was estimatedto be 243 oC.
