Thermal analyses of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)

Thermal analyses of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) P(HB–HV)], and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) P(HB–HHx)] were made with thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the thermal degradation of PHB, the onset of weight loss occurred at the temperature (°C) given by T_o = 0.75B + 311, where B represents the heating rate (°C/min). The temperature at which the weight-loss rate was at a maximum was T_p = 0.91B + 320, and the temperature at which degradation was completed was T_f = 1.00B + 325. In the thermal degradation of P(HB–HV) (70:30), T_o = 0.96B + 308, T_p = 0.99B + 320, and T_f = 1.09B + 325. In the thermal degradation of P(HB–HHx) (85:15), T_o = 1.11B + 305, T_p = 1.10B + 319, and T_f = 1.16B + 325. The derivative thermogravimetry curves of PHB, P(HB–HV), and P(HB–HHx) confirmed only one weight-loss step change. The incorporation of 30 mol % 3-hydroxyvalerate (HV) and 15 mol % 3-hydroxyhexanoate (HHx) components into the polyester increased the various thermal temperatures T_o, T_p, and T_f relative to those of PHB by 3–12°C (measured at B = 40°C/min). DSC measurements showed that the incorporation of HV and HHx decreased the melting temperature relative to that of PHB by 70°C. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 90–98, 2001