Effect of ?-cyclodextrin on the crystallization of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)

Nematic-to-Isotropic Phase Transition in Poly(L-Lactide) with Addition of Cyclodextrin during Abiotic Degradation Study

Poly(L-lactide) is capable of self-assembly into a nematic mesophase under the influence of temperature and mechanical stresses. Therefore, subsequent poly(L-lactide) films were obtained and characterized, showing nematic liquid crystal properties both before and after degradation. Herein, we present that, by introducing β-cyclodextrin into the polymer matrix, it is possible to obtain a chiral nematic mesophase during pressing, regardless of temperature and time. The obtained poly(L-lactide) films exhibiting liquid crystal properties were subjected to degradation tests and the influence of degradation on these properties was determined. Thermotropic phase behavior was investigated using polarized optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The degradation process demonstrated an influence on the liquid crystal properties of pressed polymer films. The colored planar texture of the chiral nematic mesophase, which was not observed prior to degradation in films without the addition of β-cyclodextrin, appeared after incubation in water as a result of the entrapment of degradation products in the polymer matrix. These unusual tailor-made properties, obtained in liquid crystals in (bio)degradable polymers using a simple method, demonstrate the potential for advanced photonic applications.

Cationic Cyclopentadienyliron Complex as a Novel and Successful Nucleating Agent on the Crystallization Behavior of the Biodegradable PHB Polymer

Cationic cyclopentadienyliron (CpFe⁺) is one of the most fruitful organometallic moieties that has been utilized to mediate the facile synthesis of a massive number of macromolecules. However, the ability of this compound to function as a nucleating agent to improve other macromolecule properties has not been explored. This report scrutinizes the influence of the cationic complex as a novel nucleating agent on the spherulitic morphology, crystal structure, and isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization behavior of the Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) bacterial origin. The incorporation of the CpFe⁺ into the PHB materials caused a significant increase in its spherulitic numbers with a remarkable reduction in the spherulitic sizes. Unlike other nucleating agents, the SEM imageries exhibited a good dispersion without forming agglomerates of the CpFe⁺ moieties in the PHB matrix. Moreover, according to the FTIR analysis, the cationic organoiron complex has a strong interaction with the PHB polymeric chains via the coordination with its ester carbonyl. Yet, the XRD results revealed that this incorporation had no significant effect on the PHB crystalline structure. Though the CpFe⁺ had no effect on the polymer’s crystal structure, it accelerated outstandingly the melt crystallization of the PHB. Meanwhile, the crystallization half-times (t_0.5) of the PHB decreased dramatically with the addition of the CpFe⁺. The isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization processes were successfully described using the Avrami model and a modified Avrami model, as well as a combination of the Avrami and Ozawa methods. Finally, the effective activation energy of the PHB/CpFe⁺ nanocomposites was much lower than those of their pure counterparts, which supported the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism with the organometallic moieties, indicating that the CpFe⁺ is a superior nucleating agent for this class of polymer.

Crystallization behavior of poly(p-dioxanone) with cyclodextrin complex and nucleation mechanism discussion

In the interest of improving the crystallization rate of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO), an inclusion complex (IC) based on β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and polyglycolide (PGA) serving as a green nucleating agent for PPDO was achieved by a solution technique.

Modification of physical properties of poly(L-lactic acid) by addition of methyl-β-cyclodextrin

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a biodegradable plastic and one of the most famous plastics made from biobased materials. However, its physical strength is insufficient compared to general-purpose plastics. In this study, the effect of methylcyclodextrin (MeCD) addition on the structure and physical properties, especially the drawing behavior, of PLLA was investigated. Through thermal analysis, it was found that MeCD addition lowers the crystallinity and enhances the mobility of PLLA. The sample containing approximately 17% MeCD was drawn to more than 1000% at 60 °C, although PLLA fractured at a strain of less than 100%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)-Raman in situ measurements also revealed decreases in the glass transition temperature (T_g), cold crystallization temperature (T_c), and melting point (T_m), and improvement in structural distribution with temperature. DSC-Raman measurements simultaneously supplied information about crystallinity and thermal properties. Thus, it was concluded that MeCD had high affinity for PLLA, and the addition of MeCD increased the amorphous component of PLLA and enhanced the drawability.

Melt Spinning of Bacterial Aliphatic Polyester Using Reactive Extrusion for Improvement of Crystallization

This paper reports on an attempt to use reactive extrusion with peroxide as a comfortable pathway for improvement of the crystallization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in a melt spinning process. At first, rheological and thermal properties of the modified melts are determined in order to assess the effect of nucleation. Then spinning tests are carried out. Molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of the spun fibers are determined by chromatographic methods. Average crystallite size is measured by wide angle X-ray scattering. Thermal and textile properties of the spun PHB fibers are also determined. An estimation of the improvement of the crystallization in the spinline and of the inhibition of the secondary crystallization in the fibers from the use of the described way of reactive extrusion is given.

Melt Spinning of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Fibers for Tissue Engineering Usingα-Cyclodextrin/Polymer Inclusion Complexes as the Nucleation Agent

This paper reports on an attempt to use CD and CD/PHB ICs as nucleation agents for PHB in a high-speed melt spinning process. At first rheological and thermal properties of the nucleated melts are determined in order to assess the influence of the nucleating agents. Then spinning tests are carried out. Thermal and textile properties of the spun PHB fibers are also determined. An estimation of the improvement of inhibition of the secondary crystallization from use of the described blood compatible nucleating agents is given.