Application of Twelve variables gradient method to the Study of Poly( β -hydroxybutyrate) Crystallization

摘要

Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) exhibits remarkable embrittlement upon storage at room temperature, and this problem limits its widely use in technical purpose. In this paper, morphology and micro-structure of PHB spherulite are investigated by using the twelve variables gradient method (TVGM) and polarization microscope. The results indicate that the PHB spherulites could continuously crystallize, namely: secondary crystallization, the morphology and micro-structure of PHB spherulite are changed, the embrittlement at room temperature was resulted from PHB secondary crystallization. Competition phenomenon in the process of PHB secondary crystallization was found.