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Synchrotron X‐ray scattering studies on the structural evolution of microbial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)
Author(s) -
Heo Kyuyoung,
Yoon Jinhwan,
Jin Kyeong Sik,
Jin Sangwoo,
Kim Gahee,
Sato Harumi,
Ozaki Yukihiro,
Satkowski Michael M.,
Noda Isao,
Ree Moonhor
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s0021889807000878
Subject(s) - crystallization , lamellar structure , materials science , crystallography , amorphous solid , small angle x ray scattering , scattering , synchrotron , crystal (programming language) , chemical engineering , composite material , chemistry , optics , programming language , physics , computer science , engineering
The crystallization behavior of microbially synthesized poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) was studied in detail using time‐resolved small‐angle X‐ray scattering. This polyester was found to undergo primary crystallization as well as secondary crystallization. In the primary crystallization, the thicknesses of the lamellar crystals were sensitive to the crystallization temperature, but no thickening was observed throughout the entire crystallization at a given temperature. The thickness of the lamellar crystals in the polyester was always larger than that of the amorphous layers. Secondary crystallization favorably occurred during the later stage of isothermal crystallization in competition with the continuous primary crystallization, forming secondary crystals in amorphous regions, in particular in the amorphous layers between the primarily formed lamellar crystal stacks. Compared to the primarily formed lamellar crystals, the secondary crystals had short‐range‐ordered structures of smaller size, a broader size distribution, and a lower electron density.