Abstract: Effects of processing temperatures and loading of maleic anhydride (MAH) on the viscosity-average molecular weight of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) were investigated. When the temperature was above 120 ℃, the viscosity-average molecular weight decreased obviously, and the hither the temperature, the lower the viscosity-average molecular weight . A small quantity of MAH had obviously effect on the end-capping of PPC, at the same processing temperature, the effect on the end-capping increased with increasing content of MAH. However, the loading of MAH should below 1 wt%.

Key words: poly(propylene carbonate), temperature, end-capped additive, maleic anhydride, viscosity average molecular weight