Processing of a strong biodegradable poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] fiber and a new fiber structure revealed by micro-beam X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation

Biodegradable poly [(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (P(3HB)) fibers with high tensile strength of 1.32 GPa were processed from ultra-high-molecular-weight P(3HB) by a method combining cold-drawing and two-step-drawing procedures at room temperature. The distribution of molecular structures in a mono-filament was analyzed by micro-beam X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation. It was revealed that the P(3HB) fiber has a new core-sheath structure consistent with two types of molecular conformations: a 2(1) helix conformation in the sheath region and a planar zigzag conformation in the core region.