Morphology and Crystal Structure of Solution-Grown Single Crystals of Poly[(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate]

Conformational characteristics of poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (P3HV) and structure-property relationships of P3HV and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

Conformational analysis of biosynthetic and biodegradable poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (P3HV), an analog of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB), was performed. The only structural difference between the two polymers consists in the side chain, which is either methyl (P3HB) or ethyl (P3HV). Molecular orbital calculations and NMR experiments were conducted on a monomeric model compound to determine the bond conformations of the main and side chains of P3HV. The refined rotational isomeric state (RIS) scheme was applied to derive configurational properties of P3HV. The characteristic ratio of P3HV (2.1-3.0) is smaller than that of P3HB (5.4-5.6), indicating greater conformational flexibility of the P3HV chain. The increased flexibility due to the internal rotation of the ethyl side group of P3HV results in a lower equilibrium melting point (130 °C) compared with P3HB (203 °C). The RIS calculations on P3HV also suggested its potential for rubber-like properties. Periodic density functional theory calculations were used to optimize the crystal structures of P3HB and P3HV and obtain their elastic moduli. Three-dimensional Young's modulus distributions of both crystals are closer to isotropic than anisotropic. In conclusion, the material design and usage of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) are discussed.

Crystallization of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates: A review

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), produced by the microbial fermentation, is a promising green polymer and has attracted much attention due to its excellent biocompatibility, complete biodegradability, and non-cytotoxicity. The physical properties of PHAs are closely related to their chemical and crystalline structure. Therefore, deep understanding and regulating the structure and crystallization of PHAs are the key factors to improve the performance of PHAs. This review first provides a brief overview of the development history, chemical structure, and basic properties of PHAs. Then, the crystal structure, crystal morphology, kinetics theories and crystallization behavior of nucleation-induced PHAs are systematically summarized to provide a theoretical foundation for improving PHAs crystallization rate and physical properties. In the end, the outlook on the crystallization and application prospects of PHAs is also addressed.

Growth actuated bending and twisting of single crystals

Crystals of a variety of substances including elements, minerals, simple salts, organic molecular crystals, and high polymers forgo long-range translational order by twisting and bending as they grow. These deviations have been observed in crystals ranging in size from nanometers to centimeters. How and why so many materials choose dramatic non-crystallographic distortions is analyzed, with an emphasis on crystal chemistries that give rise to stresses operating either on surfaces of crystallites or within the bulk.

Production and characterization of homopolymer poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV) accumulated by wild type and recombinant Aeromonas hydrophila strain 4AK4

Aeromonas hydrophila 4AK4 normally produces copolyesters (PHBHHx) consisting of 3-hydroxybutyrate (C4) and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (C6). Wild type and recombinant A. hydrophila 4AK4 (pSXW02) expressing vgb and fadD genes encoding Vitreoscilla haemoglobin and Escherichia coli acyl-CoA synthase respectively, were found able to produce homopolyester poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV) (C5) on undecanoic acid as a single carbon source. The recombinant grew to 5.59 g/L cell dry weight (CDW) containing 47.74 wt% PHV in shake flasks when growth was conducted in LB medium and PHV production in undecanoic acid. The cells grew to 47.12 g/L CDW containing 60.08 wt% PHV in a 6 L fermentor study. Physical characterization of PHV produced by recombinant A. hydrophila 4AK4 (pSXW02) in fermentor showed a weight average molecular weight (M(w)) of 230,000 Da, a polydispersity of 3.52, a melting temperature of 103 degrees C and a glass transition temperature of -15.8 degrees C. The degradation temperature at 5% weight loss of the PHV was around 258 degrees C.

Simulated morphological landscape of polymer single crystals by phase field model

The novel phase field model with the "polymer characteristic" was established based on a nonconserved spatiotemporal Ginzburg-Landau equation (TDGL model A). Especially, we relate the diffusion equation with the crystal growth faces of polymer single crystals. Namely, the diffusion equations are discretized according to the diffusion coefficient of every lattice site in various crystal growth faces and the shape of lattice is selected based on the real proportion of the unit cell dimensions. Spatiotemporal growth of syndiotactic polypropylene single crystals during isothermal crystallization has been investigated theoretically based on this phase field model. Two dimensional numerical calculations are performed to elucidate the faceted single crystal growth including square, rectangular, lozenge-shaped, and hexagonal single crystals. Our simulated patterns are in good agreement with the experimental morphologies, and the physical origin of polymer single crystal growth is discussed.

Poly(hydroxyalkanoates): Biorefinery polymers with a whole range of applications. The work of Robert H. Marchessault

This review describes the characterization and application of poly(hydroxyalkanoates), PHAs, a remarkable family of natural polyesters with a wide array of useful properties and potential applications. It places specific emphasis on the work of Robert H. Marchessault and his many colleagues outlining how Marchessault’s body of work both shaped the field and complemented the work of his contemporaries. Particular attention will focus on the “rediscovery” of poly(β-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, the first PHA to be discovered, from the late 1950s onward, highlighting some of the historical aspects of PHA’s path toward commercial applications. It will also cover why this class of materials is so unique, including PHA structure–properties relationships, its unique crystalline behaviour, in vivo – in vitro synthesis and degradation, and PHA-graft-copolymers.Key words: poly(hydroxyalkanoate), PHA, poly(β-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, biopolymers, bacterial polyester, random copolymers, polymer single crystals, graft copolymers.

Terraced self assembled nano-structures from laminarin

The formation of self assembled nano-structures from the biopolymer laminarin dried onto mica is reported. The observed structures are composed of stacked terraced layers decreasing in size away from the mica surface. The layers display a high degree of dimensional regularity as observed using atomic force microscope imaging (AFM). The width of the layers is linearly dependent upon the number of layers in the structure and decreases with layer number away from the mica substrate. The thickness of the layers is uniform throughout the structure. A pore is contained in the central region of each structure with more than one layer. We postulate that these structures have potential use as templates in microelectronic devices and sensors where the central pore has the potential to immobilise functional materials.

Self-Assembly of Precursors in Single-Crystal Growth of Biopolymers

Self-assembly of precursors in dilute solution single-crystal growth of poly[(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] (PHV) and the fungal polysaccharide mycodextran were studied by transmission electron microscopy, especially at the early stages of crystallization. Precursors for PHV, such as small primary nuclei and tiny square tiles, consolidate to a large square crystal composed of orthogonally arranged tiles. By contrast, the precursors of mycodextran were lath-shaped, which suggests that the crystal growth is mainly in the longitudinal direction. Needlelike precursors were observed either free or as protrusions at the lath ends. In general, single-crystal shape and morphology are dependent on the type of precursor and on the manner of crystallization.

Crystal Structure and Morphology of Poly(12-dodecalactone)

Poly(12-dodecalactone) (PDDL) crystals in the form of chain-folded lamellae were prepared by isothermal crystallization from a 1-hexanol solution. The lozenge-shaped crystals with and without spiral growth have been studied by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction data, obtained from PDDL lamellae sedimented to form oriented mats and annealed solvent-cast film, were supplemented with morphological and structural data from electron microscopy. PDDL crystallizes as an orthorhombic form with a P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group and lattice constants of a = 0.746 +/- 0.001 nm, b = 0.500 +/- 0.001 nm, and c (chain axis) = 3.281 +/- 0.003 nm. There are two chains per unit cell, which existed in an antiparallel arrangement. The fiber repeat distance is appropriate for an all-trans backbone conformation for the straight stems. Molecular packing of this structure has been studied in detail, taking into account both diffraction data and energy calculations. The setting angles, with respect to the a axis, were +/-43 degrees for the corner and center chains according to intensity measurements and structure factor calculations. The optimized shift along the crystallographic c axis is 0.1c (0.328 nm). A final model was obtained to yield R = 0.180 with X-ray diffraction data and R = 0.162 with electron diffraction data. A brief comparison is also made with related polymer structures.

Comonomer compositional distribution and thermal and morphological characteristics of bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)s with high 3-hydroxyvalerate content

The comonomer compositional distribution and thermal and morphological characteristics were investigated for five bacterially synthesized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)] samples with 3HV content of 45, 49, 70, 80, and 96 mol %. All these samples were fractionated into many fractions with widely different 3HV content by changing solvent/nonsolvent volume ratio of chloroform/n-heptane mixtures. Bacterial P(3HB-co-3HV) samples investigated in this study were found to have broad comonomer compositional distribution. The tendencies of the fractional precipitation of the P((3HB-co-3HV)s with 3HV content lower than 60 mol % and those with 3HV higher than 80 mol % were found to be contrary. The 3HV content dependences of the thermal properties and crystalline structures were investigated for bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] and a series of compositionally well-fractionated P(3HB-co-3HV) samples with 3HV content ranged from 14 to 98 mol % by DSC, WAXD, and solid-state (13)C NMR. It was found that P(3HB-co-3HV) samples with 3HV content lower than about 47 mol % form the crystalline lattice having the P(3HB) homopolymer type lattice including the 3HV unit as the crystal constituent, and those with a 3HV content higher than about 52 mol % form the crystalline lattice having the P(3HV) homopolymer type lattice including the 3HB units. Thus, P(3HB-co-3HV)s show the crystalline structural change in a very narrow range of 3HV content.