Abstract
Nanocomposites of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and tungsten disulfide inorganic nanotubes (INT-WS2) were prepared by blending in solution, and the effects of INT-WS2 on the isothermal crystallization behavior and kinetics of PHBV were investigated for the first time. The isothermal crystallization process was studied in detail using various techniques, with emphasis on the role of INT-WS2 concentration. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) showed that, in the nucleation-controlled regime, crystallization rates of PHBV in the nanocomposites are influenced by the INT-WS2 loading. Our results demonstrated that low loadings of INT-WS2 (0.1–1.0 wt %) increased the crystallization rates of PHBV, reducing the fold surface free energy by up to 24%. This is ascribed to the high nucleation efficiency of INT-WS2 on the crystallization of PHBV. These observations facilitate a deeper understanding of the structure-property relationships in PHBV biopolymer nanocomposites and are useful for their practical applications.
Highlights
Over recent years, bio-based products have attracted increasing interest due to escalating environmental concerns and diminishing fossil resources [1]
The physical and mechanical properties of semicrystalline polymers depend on the morphology, The physical and mechanical properties of semicrystalline polymers depend on the the crystalline structure and the degree of crystallinity
The isothermal melt crystallization kinetics of neat PHBV and its nanocomposites was investigated of crystallization crystallizationtemperatures temperatures from nanocomposites was investigatedwith withDSC
Summary
Bio-based products have attracted increasing interest due to escalating environmental concerns and diminishing fossil resources [1]. Nanocomposite strategies have been suggested to overcome the inherent shortcomings of biopolymer-based materials, and nano-biocomposites obtained by introducing nanofillers into biopolymers result in very promising materials, manifesting improved thermal and mechanical properties whilst maintaining material biodegradability, without introducing toxicity [6] These find applications mainly in packaging, agriculture, and biomedical or hygiene devices, and represent an emerging alternative towards environmentally benign and economically viable chemical production [7]. To date the influence of the nanofiller on the crystallization behavior and kinetics of PHBV under isothermal conditions has not been investigated This process is studied in detail using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) techniques, with particular emphasis on the role of INT-WS2 concentration. The research reported provides a better understanding of the structure-property relationship of PHBV biopolymer nanocomposites, with an outlook towards extending their practical applications
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