Crystallization and morphology of poly(ethylene succinate) and poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) blends

The melting and crystallization behavior of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(ethylene succinate) blends has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. The results indicate that PHB and PES are miscible in the melt. Consequently the blend exhibits a depression of the melting temperature of both PHB and PES. In addition, a depression of the equilibrium melting temperature of PHB is observed. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (chi(12)), obtained from melting point depression data, is composition dependent, and its value is always negative. Isothermal crystallization in the miscible blend system PES/PHB is examined by polarized optical microscope. The presence of the PES component gives a wide variety of morphologies. The spherulites exhibit a banded structure and the band spacing decreases with increase PES content.