Advanced analysis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) phases based on vibrational heat capacity

Abstract

The new quantitative thermal analysis of semicrystalline poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) phases based on vibrational, solid and liquid heat capacities has been presented. The apparent heat capacity of P3HB was measured using the standard differential scanning calorimetry, and temperature-modulated DSC and quantitative analysis allow for the study of any glass transition, melting/crystallization process and heat capacity of P3HB in the entire range of investigated temperature (183–465 K). The formation and description of phases during thermal processes of P3HB by advanced thermal analysis were examined. The mobile amorphous fraction, degree of crystallinity and rigid amorphous fraction were determined depending on the thermal history of semicrystalline P3HB included after isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization. The experimental, apparent heat capacity of P3HB in the non-equilibrium state was analyzed in reference to the solid and liquid heat capacities and all thermodynamic functions (enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs function) in the equilibrium state.