Perpendicularly oriented lamellae in poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) blended with an amorphous polymer: ultra-thin to thick films

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2013 Feb 21;15(7):2495-506. doi: 10.1039/c2cp43523c. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Abstract

The oppositely oriented lamellae in ridge and valley bands of ring-banded spherulites in biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) interacting with amorphous poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) were examined using polarized-light optical, scanning electron, and atomic-force microscopy techniques (POM, SEM, AFM). Solvent-etching and fracturing were utilized for probing the interior morphology of the large-size ring-banded spherulites in PHBV/PVAc (70/30) blend [T(c) = 110 °C] films or thick bulk of various thicknesses. SEM analysis revealed that dual ridges of two opposite-oriented lamellae correspond to two-color bands (yellow and blue) of successive rings in POM micrographs. Fracture of thick blend samples further exposed that interior 3D spherulites were composed of sheath-kebab (similar to corrugated board) lamellae of two mutually perpendicular orientations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Polyesters
  • Solvents
  • poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-hydroxyvalerate)