Comparing the Degradation of Poly-β-( hydroxybutyrate), Poly-β–(hydroxybutyrate-co- valerate) & Cellulose Triacetate Blend
The
hydrolytic degradation of poly-β-(hydroxybutyrate) PHB, poly-β-(hydroxybutyrate-co-β-valerate) (
PHBV) and PHBV/cellulose triacetate blend was studied under different pH at 37 °C. PHBV showed a similar trend of degradation to PHB but at higher rates in alkaline medium. The presence of cellulose triacetate in the blend increased the water uptake and permeability which favoured the hydrolytic degradation especially in lower pH medium. In the surface hydrolysis of PHB and its blends, the overall degradation rate was increased with higher pH values. The melting temperature, crystallinity and tensile properties were also determined. The blend, PHBV/CTAc had the lowest crystallinity values and PHB had the highest. However, the blends were mechanically better in strength and toughness.
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