Modification of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) properties by reactive blending with a monoterpene derivative

摘要

A one-step reactive blending approach is reported for modification of the thermal and mechanical properties of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate). A free-radical initiated reaction of the monoterpene derivative, linalool, was carried out with PHBV in the melt. This processing led to a reduction in the material melt temperature and increase in the tensile strength and elongation at break. Reduced embrittlement over time was also evident in the reactive blended materials in an ambient temperature ageing study, suggestive of reduced secondary crystallization. The nature of the structural changes within the materials could not be fully elucidated, but evidence pointed to free radical cross-linking, mediated by the linalool, as a major component of the changes. (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.