Preparation and characterization of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate copolymers

This thesis evaluates the synthesis of copolymers based on poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). The goal is to create a material with the highest possible concetration of PHB with the smallest possible volume of crystal phase. PHB with lower molecular weight and hydroxyl end groups used for polyurethane synthesis was prepared by alcoholysis of PHB polymer with 1,4 butanediol. Polyethylene glycole (PEG) of various molar mass and ratio values was chosen in this thesis as a second reacting substance. Another substance used for copolymeration with PHB was the poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) PBAT. Both variants used hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI) as a non-toxic bonding agent. From these substances, a block copolymers comprised of soft and hard segments were formed. Hard segments are a result of PHB and it‘s crystalic structure. Soft segmets are comprised of PEG or PBAT macromolecules. The influence of soft segments of various length and molar ratio of reactants on overal polyurethane properties was evaluated. Prepared materials were charactrerized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Molecular weight was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC)