Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)-based responsive polymers

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) envisage a potential biomaterial alternative to replacing synthetic polymers for their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Modification approaches exploit the attributes and adjust the intrinsic hydrophobic properties, such as blending to produce a new polymer mix with novel properties. Functionalization of PHA, especially chemical grafting, perform to introduce additional compounds covalently to PHA. As these methods address PHA potential and enable extensive utilization as a responsive material, reports are readily available in academia as confirmation. There are also substantial responsive PHA-based material applications in the biomedical area and agriculture materials, packaging materials, and nanocomposite materials.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Biomaterial
• biopolymer
• chemical grafting
• polyhydroxyalkanoates
• polymer blending
• polymer functionalization

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Professor Dr. Mohamad Suffian Mohamad Annuar and Professor Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Gumel for their insight and wisdom in this work.