Crystallization behavior and thermal properties of melt-crystallized poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-6-hydroxyhexanoic acid] films. |
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Authors: | H Abe Y Kikkawa H Aoki T Akehata T Iwata Y Doi |
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Institution: | Polymer Chemistry Laboratory, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Saitama, Japan. |
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Abstract: | Melt-crystallized films of poly(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-10mol% 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid] (P(R)-3HB-co-6HH]) were prepared by isothermal crystallization at various temperatures for 3 days, and subsequently stored at room temperature after the films formed well-developed and volume-filled spherulites. The lamellar morphologies and properties of melt-crystallized films were characterized by means of wide-angle X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The melting endotherm of P(R)-3HB-co-6HH] films was composed of a broad peak starting around room temperature and of a sharper peak starting above the isothermal crystallization temperature. The stacking of flat-on lamellae with lamellar periodicity of 8-10 nm was detected on the surface of P(R)-3HB-co6HH] films after the primary crystallization at 110 degrees C. On storage at room temperature above the Tg (-5 degrees C) of copolyester, thin crystals of 1-4 nm thickness appeared on the surface of P(R)-3HB-co-6HH] films crystallized at 110 degrees C. These results suggest that long sequences of (R)-3HB units in a random copolyester form relatively thick P(R)-3HB] crystalline lamellae during the primary crystallization process at a given crystallization temperature, while shorter sequences of (R)-3HB units, which are incapable of crystallizing at a given crystallization temperature, form relatively thin crystalline lamellae during the subsequent crystallization process at room temperature. |
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