Modulated crystallization behavior of bacterial copolyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate): Effect of a linear multiple amides derivative as a nucleator

Abstract

A multiple amides-based linear organic compound (TMC-300) was synthesized and as an efficient nucleator was incorporated into PHBH to fabricate PHBH/TMC-300 composite to investigate effect of TMC-300 on crystallization behavior of PHBH in-depth. Nucleation capacity of TMC-300 on the PHBH is significantly higher than those of two conventional inorganic nucleators. TMC-300 exhibits dual effects on crystallization behavior of PHBH in terms of its weight fraction (f_TMC-300). Low f_TMC-300 increased substantially crystallization rate, crystallinity and crystal density, and decreased greatly crystallization time of PHBH, but relative higher f_TMC-300 hindered slightly crystallization process. Hydrogen bond interaction exists between PHBH and TMC-300 and facilitates excellent dispersion of TMC-300 in PHBH matrix. In-situ FTIR measurement suggests that hydrogen interaction hindered reorganization of ester bond in crystallization process of PHBH. Mechanisms on nucleation of PHBH and effect of TMC-300 on crystallization behavior of PHBH, are proposed and discussed.

Keywords:

• Crystallization behavior
• PHBH
• dual effects
• nucleator

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the “Program for Prominent Young College Teachers of Tianjin Educational Committee”, “Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control (18nybcdhj-4)” and “Training Program for Innovative Research Team in Tianjin Institutions of Higher Education (TD13 − 5021)”.