A novel hollow microsphere acting on crystallization, mechanical, and thermal performance of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate)

Abstract

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) (P34HB) is a bio‐originated and biodegradable semi‐crystalline polyester. However, wide applications of the P34HB are hampered by its poor mechanical properties and processabilities. Divinylbenzene‐maleic anhydride (DM) copolymer is a rigid hollow microsphere. In this work, 0.5 ~ 2.0 wt% DM was used as a novel nucleation agent in P34HB to improve the crystallization of P34HB in order to enhance its properties. The resulting P34HB was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry for its thermal properties, XRD for its crystalline structures, and mechanical tests for its mechanical properties. We show that DM can effectively promote the crystallization process of the P34HB by acting as nucleation sites. Both mechanical properties and material processibility can be readily enhanced. The study has provided a simple approach to address the limitations that have prevented wide applications of an otherwise promising bio‐based degradable polymeric material. In addition, we expect similar approach can be employed for other degradable materials, such as polylactic acid, poly(butylene succinate), and poly(butyleneadipate‐co‐terephthalate).

Ductile poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(4‐hydroxybutyrate)]‐based blends derived from biomass

“…P34HB's Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break were 897.3 MPa, 17.0 MPa and 3.7%, respectively. Evidently, P34HB has low tensile strength and elongation at break, which is nearly compatible with the tensile characteristics of P34HB reported in other investigations 30–34 . For P34HB, the stress increases quickly after stretching, and then yields.…”

“…Evidently, P34HB has low tensile strength and elongation at break, which is nearly compatible with the tensile characteristics of P34HB reported in other investigations. [30][31][32][33][34] For P34HB, the stress increases quickly after stretching, and then yields. After the yield point, the sample breaks immediately, and the tensile behavior is a common brittle fracture.…”

A Review on Melt-Spun Biodegradable Fibers

“…Indeed, the use of nucleating agents is a well-known technique to promote crystallization in polymers. Nucleating agents introduce inhomogeneities into the polymer melt, serving as sites for nucleation and leading to an increase in the number of nuclei and the crystallization rate while simultaneously reducing the spherulite size [286]. Typically, the size of nucleation agents is around 3 µm, and boron nitride has been identified as one of the most effective nucleating agents for PHB [287].…”