Transcrystal, Polymorphism, Thermal Stability and Biodegradation of Poly(1,4-butylene adipate) Modulated by a Nucleobase

In this work, we reported the interesting transcrystals of the poly(1,4-butylene adipate) (PBA) with loading of the bio-derived additive. The overlapped thymine (TM) crystals with the biocompatibility and biodegradability, induced the PBA to form the transcrystals in the PBA/TM composite. The TM, as an effective nucleator, increased the crystallization temperature and crystallization rate of the PBA. More interestingly, the TM facilitated the generation of the PBA alpha-modification at a lower temperature, accelerated significantly the beta-to-alpha phase transition, and tailored the polymorphism of the PBA. Additionally, the TM increased the thermal degradation temperature (T-d) in the initial stage and suppressed the enzymatic degradation (biodegradation) of the PBA. The mechanisms on the generation of the transcrystals, nucleation, tailoring of the polymorphism, enhanced T-d and reduced biodegradability of the PBA were also been proposed and discussed in depth. [GRAPHICS] .