Investigating thermal properties of and melting-induced structural changes in cold-drawn P(3HB) films with alpha- and beta-structures using real-time X-ray measurements and high-speed DSC

摘要

In this study, we prepared two types of drawn films of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate], a microbial polyester: those containing only a-crystals and those containing both alpha- and beta-crystals. Real-time wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and real-time small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements were performed during heating using synchrotron X-rays, along with high-speed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), to measure the melting temperature of the b-crystals, which were present in a small amount. The changes induced in the highly ordered structure of the films were also observed. Based on the results of the real-time WAXD measurements, the melting temperature of the beta-crystals was found to vary from 90 degrees C to 130 degrees C. The results of high-speed DSC supported these results. The real-time SAXS measurements allowed the changes in the highly order structure of the films to be observed. A model to explain the changes in the highly order structure is constructed based on the obtained results. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.