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Crystallization behaviors and morphology of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)

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Abstract

Crystallization behaviors and spherulitic morphology of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] with different 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB) molar fraction were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. Crystallization behaviors of P(3HB-co-4HB) are significantly affected by 4HB molar fraction. The melting temperature (T m), glass transition temperature (T g), and crystallinity (X c) decrease with the increase of 4HB molar fraction. Banded spherulites are observed in poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymers. The band spacing decreases with the increase of 4HB molar fraction. The morphology and growth rate of the spherulites strongly depend on 4HB molar fraction and the crystallization temperatures. The introduction of 4HB unit can inhibit the emergence of cracks in PHB spherulites.

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Correspondence to Xiuping Lu.

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Wen, X., Lu, X., Peng, Q. et al. Crystallization behaviors and morphology of biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate). J Therm Anal Calorim 109, 959–966 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-011-1768-2

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