Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Blends with Poly(caprolactone) and Poly(lactic acid): A Comparative...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biodegradable polymer with potential applications in tissue engineering, packaging, and electronics.
• Growing demand for PHBV with specific thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties necessitates material modification.
• Blending PHBV with other biodegradable polyesters like poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a strategy to enhance its characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of blending PHBV with PCL and PLA on its morphological, wetting, structural, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties.
• To evaluate the biodegradation and antibacterial activity of the resulting PHBV blends.
• To demonstrate a method for tailoring PHBV functionalities for specific applications.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of PHBV blends with varying ratios of PCL and PLA.
• Characterization of blend properties including morphology, wetting, structure, thermal, mechanical, and electrical behavior.
• Assessment of biodegradation in simulated body fluid and antibacterial activity against *S. aureus*.

Main Results:

• PHBV/PCL and PHBV/PLA blends exhibited dense morphology and increased hydrophilicity compared to neat PHBV.
• Blending significantly improved the mechanical characteristics of PHBV.
• A decrease in dielectric constant and AC electrical conductivity was observed in the blends.
• All materials showed antibacterial properties against *S. aureus*, with a notable increase to 72% reduction for the 50/50 PHBV/PCL blend.
• Biodegradation in simulated body fluid was evaluated.

Conclusions:

• Blending PHBV with PCL and PLA is an effective strategy to enhance its mechanical properties and hydrophilic character.
• The developed blends demonstrate tunable electrical properties, with reduced dielectric constant and conductivity.
• PHBV/PCL and PHBV/PLA blends possess significant antibacterial activity, making them suitable for biomedical applications.
• These tailored polymer blends offer a versatile platform for developing advanced materials for diverse applications.