Modification of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) film by chemical graft copolymerization

The graft copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) onto poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV) films has been investigated. The graft copolymerization was conducted in aqueous media using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as chemical initiator. PHBHV films were prepared by solvent casting. Different parameters affecting the graft yield were studied such as monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and reaction time. The extent of grafting has been modulated by the preparation conditions, in particular the concentration of HEMA. However, it is interesting to note that the initiator concentration had only a slight influence on the graft yield. Characterization of the grafted PHBHV films assumed that the graft copolymerization not only occurred on the film surface but also took place into the film bulk. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that crystallinity dramatically decreased with increasing graft yield, indicating that graft copolymerization hindered the crystallization process. Wettability has been obviously improved by grafting a hydrophilic monomer such as HEMA for high graft yield (> 130%).