Open AccessPhysical properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate) and copolymers of hydroxybutyrate and hydroxyvalerate
Author(s) -
Barham Peter J.,
Barker Phil,
Organ Sally J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1992.tb05850.x
Subject(s) - comonomer , copolymer , crystallinity , crystallization , materials science , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , phase (matter) , chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer , composite material , engineering
The major physical properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and its copolymers with hydroxyvalerate (PHB/HV) and those of their blends are summarised. Cases of liquid‐liquid phase separation in homopolymer copolymer blends are reported and conditions where further phase separation occurs during crystallisation are documented. The crystallinity and degree of comonomer inclusion in the crystallisation of copolymers are described and quantified. It is argued that the mechanism for the inclusion of comonomer units in the crystals is of a kinetic rather than an equilibrium nature.