Solid-State NMR study of poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) and ecoflex® blends

Abstract

Biodegradable blends of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and aromatic-aliphatic co-polyester Ecoflex® were studied by means of basic solid-state NMR techniques. 13C NMR spectra pointed at existence of individual components in blends, however, existence of regions in which components affect each other was also deduced from changes of shape of some spectral lines. Analysis of proton spin-lattice relaxation process in laboratory frame running in blends with different fractions of components revealed poor miscibility of these polymers. The domain size of components was calculated based on the values of spin-lattice relaxation times in laboratory frame. Spin-lattice relaxation process in the rotating frame of Ecoflex® proton spin system was only slightly influenced by the blending. Incompatibility of these polymers was confirmed by all realized experiments.