Blends of Poly( 3-hydroxybutyrate) with Poly( b- alanine) and Its Derivatives

Abstract

Nanofibers and films of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)/nylon 3 [poly(-alanine) (N3)], PHB/poly(-methyl--alanine) (2mN3), and PHB/poly(-methyl--alanine) (3mN3) blends were prepared by electrospinning and film-casting techniques, respectively. The miscibility of the blends was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrospinnability of the blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Some characteristic IR absorption bands of the components in the blends shifted gradually with changes in the compositions. The melting temperature and decomposition temperature of PHB decreased gradually with increasing fractions of N3, 2mN3, and 3mN3. The XRD spectra of all of the blends exhibited peaks with lower intensities compared to those of the neat species. The suppression of PHB crystallinity in the blends after blending was attributed to the disruption of its crystal lattice and the prevention of recrystallization of each component by means of other components and segmental interactions between the components in the amorphous phase. Thermal, spectroscopic, and optical analyses of the polymer blends revealed that the polymers were miscible with good compatibility, and this could have improved the scaffold properties of PHB. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40484.