Real-time enzymatic degradation study of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid] copolymer thin film by atomic force microscopy in buffer solution

Abstract

In situ observation of lamellar crystals during the enzymatic degradation by poly(hydroxybytyrate) PHB depolymerase is carried out on the thin films of poly[((R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid)-co-(16 mol-%-(R)-3-hydroxypentanoic acid)] using atomic force microscopy in buffer solution. Erosion of lamellar crystals and formation of splintered morphology along the crystal growth direction are directly observed during the course of the enzymatic degradation process. The changes in lamellar morphologies caused by enzymatic degradation are discussed in terms of lamellar crystal growth process.