Miscibility, crystallization and mechanical properties of poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(4‐hydroxyvalerate)]/poly(propylene carbonate)/poly(vinyl acetate) ternary blends

Abstract

A ternary blend of poly [(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(4-hydroxyvalerate)] (P34HB), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) was initially melt-blended in an effort to obtain an excellent balance of mechanical performance. The effect of PVAc content on the miscibility, phase morphology, thermal behavior, isothermal melt crystallization and mechanical properties of P34HB/PPC/PVAc ternary blends was systematically investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that P34HB and PPC were immiscible, and PVAc exhibited immiscibility with PPC. PVAc was selectively dispersed in the P34HB matrix and phase morphology was refined by reducing the interfacial tension. Moreover, the PVAc component suppressed the cold crystallization and reduced the isothermal melt crystallization rate of P34HB in the ternary blends. Unexpectedly, marked increases of 32.7% and 3025% were achieved in the tensile modulus and elongation of the ternary blend containing 20 wt% PVAc compared to neat P34HB. Meanwhile, the strength did not deteriorate. The unusual combination of high ductility, strength and modulus is of great potential for expanding the practical application of sustainable and biological polymers.

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

“…Melt blending has been used to create the ternary blends of P34HB, poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and PVAc. 24 The findings demonstrated that there was poor compatibility between P34HB and PPC and poor compatibility between PVAc and PPC. PVAc was mixed in P34HB and refined the dispersed PPC phase by reducing the interfacial tension.…”

“…Amorphous P34HB increased and P34HB and PLA became more compatible, so that the ternary blends exhibited good toughness and stiffness balance. Melt blending has been used to create the ternary blends of P34HB, poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and PVAc 24 . The findings demonstrated that there was poor compatibility between P34HB and PPC and poor compatibility between PVAc and PPC.…”

Poly(hydroxyalkanoates): Production, Applications and End-of-Life Strategies–Life Cycle Assessment Nexus

“…Apparently, the chain length is an ultimate contributor to the properties of PHA polymers . Although P­(3HB) has comparable tensile strength and a melting point (175 °C) to polypropylene (PP), the manufacturing window is too limited for practical application. , Copolymerization of scl-PHA, such as P­(3HB), improves its mechanical characteristics to compensate for these shortcomings. P­(3HB- co -3HV), for example, was created by adding 3-hydroxyvalerate (HV) into P­(3HB) to create a copolymer that is robust, flexible, and durable with increased thermal processing capabilities.…”

Enhancing the Potential of Poly(hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(lactic acid) Films with Olive Oil and Zinc Oxide for Active Food Packaging

“…To overcome these, the incorporation of other compatible polymers, essential oils, and nanoparticles in the PHB matrix emerges as an economically viable approach, yielding innovative materials with targeted properties. [ 10 ] The inclusion of supplementary biopolymers like poly(ε‐caprolactone), [ 11 ] poly(vinyl acetate), [ 12 ] poly(lactic acid) (PLA), [ 13 ] and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) [ 14 ] into the PHB matrix shows great promise toward effectively enhancing the overall potential of PHB to its fullest capacity. One of the most used polyesters, poly(lactic acid) is used in the production of biodegradable films, owing to its nontoxic nature, excellent transparency, and mechanical robustness in the resulting films.…”