Solvent-Free Processing of i-P3HB Blends: Enhancing Processability and Mechanical Properties for Sustainable...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) is a biodegradable polymer with properties similar to conventional plastics.
• High crystallinity and thermal degradation limit P3HB's processability and applications.
• Current modification methods often use harmful solvents like chloroform.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop solvent-free processing methods for P3HB.
• To create P3HB blends with improved thermal stability and mechanical properties.
• To explore tunable material characteristics for diverse applications.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of P3HB blends using solvent-free extrusion.
• Blending isotactic P3HB with atactic P3HB and P34HB.
• Characterization of thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting blends.

Main Results:

• Achieved reduced processing temperatures (150-160 °C), avoiding thermal degradation.
• Controlled blend crystallinity between 17% and 70%.
• Obtained materials with tunable mechanical properties and up to 600% elongation at break.

Conclusions:

• Solvent-free extrusion of P3HB blends offers an extended processing window.
• Tunable properties make these blends suitable for injection molding, extrusion, and fiber spinning.
• These P3HB blends present a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.