Optimising the Performance of Biodegradable Polymers: Design of Fillers and Plasticisers to Tune Polymer Crystallization

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)-based polymers are promising candidates for replacing petroleum-based plastics. Fillers and plasticisers are typically added to improve the properties, which are largely controlled by the crystallinity and microstructure. Despite many studies reporting crystallization in plasticised and filled polymer formulations, there is no systematic understanding on the crystallization behaviour of polymers [1], which results in a lack of control of the final product. We will present simulations and experimental results on how the interaction between fillers and plasticisers influence polymer crystallization [2-5]. Our findings show that we can predict polymer crystallization behaviour, which can be used to provide design guidelines to control polymer crystallinity and hence mechanical and barrier properties. These results can therefore enable the future design and optimisation of polymer composites, thus accelerating the production of sustainable plastic packaging materials.

[1] Majerczak, Wadkin-Snaith, et al. Poly. Int. 71 1398-1408 (2022)

[2] Majerczak and Liggat, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 140(40), e54469 (2023)

[3] Wadkin-Snaith, et al., Polymer, 281, 126113 (2023)

[4] Majerczak and Liggat, J. Polym. Environ. under review (2023)

[5] Wadkin-Snaith, et al., in preparation (2023)