Miscibility of Poly(hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Melt Blends Plasticized With Glycerol

Abstract

Poly(hydroxybutyrate)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PHB/PVA) blends plasticized with glycerol were prepared by melt blending of PHB and glycerol plasticized PVA. The PHB/PVA-glycerol compositions were 90:10, 75:25 and 50:50 w/w, being the concentration of glycerol in the PVA mixture of 10 wt %. The blends were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscope of the fragile fractured surface. The results showed one single phase blend, indicating miscibility corroborated by the presence of a single glass transition temperature. The blending method proved to be an efficient way to tune PHB properties keeping its biodegradable nature since both PVA and glycerol are fully biodegradable materials.

Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(lactic acid) blends containing bio‐based plasticizers

“…The plasticizer can destroy the hydrogen bonds among PVA molecular chains, so as to reduce its melting point. The most common plasticizers were glycerol 15,16 and water. 17,18 In addition, sorbitol, 19 ethylene glycol, 20 and ionic liquid 21 had also been proved to be suitable for the thermal processing of PVA.…”

Nanoblendas de PVA/PLA: potencial para aplicação na liberação prolongada de fármacos hidrofílicos e hidrofóbicos

“…Alguns estudos trazem combinações desses polímeros aplicados em biomateriais[73,74], porém o PVA é sempre citado como um emulsificante no sistema, aparecendo em quantidades muito pequenas. Blendas de PVA/PLA são inovadoras nesta área.Estudos com PVA geralmente levam plastificantes[75][76][77], em especial quando se trata do seu processamento em estado fundido devido a necessidade de aumentar sua janela de processamento[78]. Para o PLA, os plastificantes são usados melhorar sua natureza relativamente rígida e quebradiça com baixo alongamento na ruptura.…”