Effect of 1,3:2,4-Bis (3,4-dimethylobenzylideno) Sorbitol as a Nucleating Agent on Crystallization of Poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid)

The behavior of isothermal crystallization and thermal properties of poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) with 1,3:2,4-Bis (3,4-dimethylobenzylideno) sorbitol (DMDBS) as a nucleating agent was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the addition of DMDBS increased the degree of crystallinity of PHB significantly. It was also observed that the used sorbitol derivative cannot improve the thermal stability of the polymeric films.