Improvement of thermal properties of biodegradable polymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by modification with acryloyloxyethyl isocyanate

Abstract

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is one type of polyhydroxyalkanoates often used as a biomedical material due to its biodegradable and biocompatible nature. However, the mechanical and thermal properties of PHB must be improved before it can be used in a wider variety of biomedical applications. To improve the thermal properties of biodegradable PHB, various reaction conditions were studied. Results demonstrate that reacting PHB with acryloyloxyethyl isocyanate (AOI), a monomer with dual functional groups, produces a modified PHB material with markedly improved thermal properties. The 10% thermal decomposition temperature for PHB modified with 5% AOI was 297°C, which was 26.8°C higher than original PHB. The Tg also increased from 4°C to around 30°C for AOI-modified materials. Additionally, due to the poly(ester-urethane) structure and hydrogen bonding of polymer materials, the mechanical properties also improved. Thus, this modified PHB biodegradable polymer may have greater application as a biomedical material due to its enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. Copyright © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers.