POLY(HYDROXYBUTYRATE-co-HYDROXYVALERATE)-POLYADIPATE BLENDS

ISSN： 0091-4037

Source： International Journal of Polymeric Materials, Vol.51, Iss.7, 2002-07, pp. : 619-631

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Abstract

Poly(-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and its copolymers (P(HB-co-HV)) are biocompatible 'green' thermoplastics. These polymers would be in widespread use if it were not for their high price. One method of reducing this price is by blending it with another, less expensive, material while retaining or improving its desirable properties. Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-co-HV)) - polyadipate (PEA) blends were studied. DMA and DSC experiments were used. The thermal analysis indicates that these blends are miscible until close to 30 wt% polyadipate content. The study of the blend crystallinity was carried out by the isothermal melt of the blend. The crystallization process has a induction time. The addition of polyadipate (less than a 30 wt%) decreases the induction time. As consequence, PEA can be used as nucleating agent for the crystallization of P(HB-co-HV). The mechanical properties and the thermal decomposition were studied too. The elastic modulus and the activation energy of the thermal decomposition decrease with PEA addition.