Processability modifications of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by plasticizing, blending, and stabilizing

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) was plasticized with dioctyl (o-)phthalate, dioctyl sebacate, and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC). The thermal properties, mechanical properties, and melt flow ability were studied with differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, a universal material testing machine, and a melt flow indexer. ATBC was revealed to be an efficient plasticizer, reducing the glass-transition temperature and increasing the thermoplasticization ability of PHB. We also blended poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3/4HB)] with PHB, ATBC, and antioxidant 1010 to overcome the brittleness of PHB and improve the melt flow stability of the materials. PHBHHx did little to improve the thermal processing but increased the fluidity of PHB, and P(3/4HB) toned the toughness of PHB. The addition of antioxidant 1010 enhanced the thermal stabilization of PHB. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.