Phase morphology, physical properties, and biodegradation behavior of novel PLA/PHBHHx blends†
Qiang Zhao
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Shufang Wang
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Shufang Wang, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Cunjiang Song, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorMeimei Kong
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorWeitao Geng
Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorRobert K.Y. Li
Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Cunjiang Song
Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Shufang Wang, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Cunjiang Song, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorDeling Kong
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorQiang Zhao
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Shufang Wang
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Shufang Wang, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Cunjiang Song, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorMeimei Kong
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorWeitao Geng
Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorRobert K.Y. Li
Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Cunjiang Song
Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Shufang Wang, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Cunjiang Song, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorDeling Kong
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China
Search for more papers by this authorHow to cite this article: Zhao Q, Wang S, Kong M, Geng W, Li RKY, Song C, Kong D. 2012. Phase morphology, physical properties, and biodegradation behavior of novel PLA/PHBHHx blends. J Biomed Mater Res Part B 2012:100B:23-31.
Abstract
In this study, two biodegradable polyesters [i.e., polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx)] with complementarity in terms of mechanical performance have been combined, and a series of blends with a broad range of compositions has been prepared by thermal compounding. The evolution of phase morphologies with the variation of compositions has been characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging together with scanning electron microscope analyses. Thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation properties of the PLA/PHBHHx blends were systematically investigated. Mechanical properties were further analyzed by using theoretical models and correlated with the results of the morphology/structure and compatibility of the blends. Results indicate that PLA/PHBHHx blends are immiscible but can be compatible to some extent at certain compositions (e.g., PLA/PHBHHx (w/w) = 80/20 and 20/80). The physical properties of the blend could be fine tuned by adjusting the blend composition. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
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