O. Miguel et Jj. Iruin, Evaluation of the transport properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its 3-hydroxyvalerate copolymers for packaging applications, MACRO SYMP, 144, 1999, pp. 427-438
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and ist 3-hydroxyvalerate containing copolyme
rs form a family of fully biodegradable polyesters with many potential appl
ications. In this work, the results obtained in our laboratory concerning c
arbon dioxide, water and organic solvent transport through PHB and three lo
w 3-hydroxyvalerate copolymers are reviewed. Comparison established between
the former results and some data taken from the literature, have revealed
that PHB and the above mentioned copolymers show transport properties simil
ar to other common thermoplastics such as PVC and PET, particularly in the
case of carbon dioxide and water. Consequently, PHB and copolymers can be c
atalogued as good barrier materials against these penetrants. On the other
hand, these biopolymers show a low barrier character against organic compou
nd permeation. All these features conform a good balance of physicochemical
properties for these polyhydroxyalkanoates, which may take them suitable f
or several applications, including its use in biodegradable packaging mater
ials.