poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

We focused on hydrolytic degradation kinetics at 310 and 343 K in phosphate buffer to compare PLA and PHB kinetic profiles. Besides, we revealed the kinetic behavior for copolymer PHBV (20 % of 3-hydroxyvalerate) and the blend PHB-PLA (1:1). The intensity of biopolymer hydrolysis is characterized by total weight lost and the viscosity-averaged molecular weight (MW) decrement. The degradation is enhanced in the series PHBV < PHB < PHB-PLA blend < PLA.

The dynamic of polymer chains for electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) fibers and the PHB films was studied with spin probe characteristics obtained by ESR technique. The ESR data combined with DSC analysis reveal the presence of two TEMPO probe populations with different correlation times indicating the heterogeneous structure of intercrystalline areas in the films, fibers and the cold rolled fiber mats. The ESR data are in agreement with the 2-mode model of amorphous state in semicrystalline polymers.

The structure of extruded films based on blends of polyvinyl alcohol and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) was studied for various compositions. The methods of DSC and X-ray analysis were used. As the phase-sensitive characteristics of the composite films, diffusion and water vapor permeability were also investigated. In addition, the tensile modulus and relative elongation-at-break were measured. Changes in the glass transition temperature of the blends and constant melting points of the components show their partial compatibility in intercrystallite regions.