Bicomponent spinning of biodegradable polymers: Meltspun PHBV micro fibers

Erdoğan Ü. H., Selli F.

AIP CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS, vol.3158, no.1, pp.400051-400056, 2024 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 3158 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1063/5.0208018
  • Journal Name: AIP CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
  • Journal Indexes: Aerospace Database, Artic & Antarctic Regions, Communication Abstracts, INSPEC, Metadex, Public Affairs Index, zbMATH, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.400051-400056
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have gained lots of interest and publicity. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a

member of biodegradable thermoplastic polyesters, biologically derived by bacterial fermentation. These biodegradable,

compostable and biocompatible polymers are of great interest in the production of medical textiles, disposable materials

and packaging. However, slow crystallization rate and low thermal stability of PHAs limits the melt spinning of fibers

and results in inadequate mechanical properties. In this study, two biodegradable polymers were coaxially combined in a

spinneret for bicomponent fiber production with islands-in-the-sea geometry. The co-extrusion of a poly(3-

hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) as the island polymer and a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the sea

polymer having a higher thermal stability and faster crystallization enabled the stable winding of filaments. Following the

filament production, the filaments were soaked in distilled water to remove the PVA sea polymer and PHBV micro fibers

were obtained. Thermal analysis revealed that the complete removal of PVA was possible. Microscopic analysis showed

that PHBV microfilaments (single filament diameter < 7 μm) have been successfully melt-spun.