Polyhydroxyalkanoate-based natural–synthetic hybrid copolymer films: a small-angle neutron scattering study
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Date
2005-11-27
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Bragg Institute, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Abstract
PHAs have attracted attention as biodegradable alternatives to conventional thermoplastics and as biomaterials. By modifying their bioprocessesing we have manipulated their PHA material properties and produced a a natural–synthetic hybrid copolymer of polyhydroxyoctanoate-block-diethylene glycol (PHO--DEG). While the molecular weight ratio of these hybrids is approximately 900:1, the polymer displays amphipillic properties, A mixture of PHO and PHO–DEG were solvent cast from analytical grade chloroform and analysed using small-angle neutron scattering. A scattering pattern, easily distinguished above the background, was displayed by the films with a diffraction ring at q∼0.12 Å−1. This narrow ring of intensity is suggestive of a highly ordered system. with d-spacing of approximately 50 Å. Once can speculate that the hydrophilic synthetic blocks of the polymer chains may group together when the polymer is dissolved in organic solvent. This speculative model is supported by the formation of microporous films by these hybrids when processed by sold solvent evaporation under a humid flow (92% rH). © The Authors
Description
Physical copy held by ANSTO Library at DDC 539.7217/2
Keywords
Copolymers, Films, Neutron diffraction, Polyethylene glycols, Small angle scattering, Structural chemical analysis, Thermoplastics
Citation
Foster, L. J. R., Knott, R., Sanguanchaipaiwong, V., & Holden, P. J. (2005). Polyhydroxyalkanoate-based natural–synthetic hybrid copolymer films: a small-angle neutron scattering study. Paper presented at the Eighth International Conference on Neutron Scattering ICNS 2005: "Neutrons for structure and dynamics - a new era", Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia, 27 November-2 December 2005. In Final Programme and Abstract Book, (pp. 273).