Optimization of melting conditions of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

Studies of kinetics of polymer crystallization are generally performed by heating the material above the melting point, in order to erase previous thermal and mechanical history, followed by rapid cooling to the desired crystallization temperature or by cooling at a constant rate. For poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) this procedure implies some degradation of the polymer chain, which starts below the onset of melting. In this contribution the effects of melting conditions on the subsequent crystallization kinetics are discussed. It is shown that in order to sufficiently cancel memories of previous crystalline order of the analyzed PHB, it is necessary to bring the material at a temperature higher than 192 degrees C. Thermal treatments conducted at lower temperatures are not sufficient to destroy all solid aggregates, and crystallization of PHB has an anticipated onset of crystallization due to nucleation occurring via self-seeding. The chain degradation attained upon exposure at high temperatures has a much minor influence on crystallization kinetics than incomplete melting.