Effect of Different Plasticizers on Thermal, Crystalline, and Permeability Properties of Poly(3–hydroxybutyrate–co−3–hydroxyhexanoate) Films

• DOI: 10.3390/polym14173503
• Publication Date: 2022-08-30T02:53:42Z
• Authors: Yousof Farrag; Luis Barral; Oreste Gualillo; Danny Moncada; Belén Montero; Maite Rico; Rebeca Bouza
• Keywords: Plasticizer; Thermogravimetric analysis; Oxygen permeability

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) films were prepared using a cast film technique. Dioxane was chosen over other polymer solvents as it resulted in homogenous with better morphology. Several plasticizers different molecular weights and concentrations added to the biopolymer solution prior casting. Thermal, crystalline, permeability properties analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), both water vapor oxygen transmission rate analysis. In general, addition of decreased glass transition temperature (Tg), cold crystallization temperatures (Tcc), melting temperatures, well crystallinity degrees increased crystallite sizes rates. The use isosorbide low-molecular-weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) lowered Tg around 30 °C at highest used concentration, also being most effective increasing size. When considering very good for PHBH, question which plasticizer strongly relies on desired PHBH application.