Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) prepared by radiation-induced polymerization

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) Vol. 71; no. 1; pp. 257 - 262
• Main Authors: Martellini, Flavia, Innocentini Mei, Lúcia H, Lora, Silvano, Carenza, Mario
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2004
• Subjects: Hydrogel; IPN; Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate); Radiation; Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate); Hydrogel; IPN; Radiation
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2004.03.049

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on bacterial poly(3-hydroxy butyrate) with a hydrophilic monomer at different compositions were prepared by radiation-induced polymerization using γ-rays from a 60Co source with a total dose of 10–100 kGy. The swelling behaviour was determined by water content at equilibrium, while thermal properties and crystallinity were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Extraction of the soluble part of PHB from the films at low and high temperature with water or chloroform as well as FTIR data indicate the occurrence of the crosslinking reaction in the hydrogels. The results show a water uptake increasing with the hydrophilic component until 25%.