The effect of epoxy-functionalized chain extender on crystal growth and morphology of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)

Abstract

The crystal growth rate of melt-crystallized poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) reacting with epoxy-functionalized chain extender was investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction and polarized optical microscopy (POM). The maximum concentration of chain extender in this work was limited to 1.00 % wt for food contact considerations. The WAXD results revealed that the quantity of chain extender used in this study had no effect on crystal structure and all chain-extended PHBV had a PHB-type crystal structure. The rate of crystal growth determined from POM at various crystallization temperatures confirmed that the addition of epoxy-functionalized chain extender delayed the crystal growth rate but did not change the crystal growth process and morphology.