Polihidroxibutirato: un termoplástico biobasado y biodegradable con interés industrial
- Marina P. Arrieta
- Daniel García-García
- José Miguel Ferri Azor
- Miguel Aldas Carrasco
- Rafael Balart
- Juan López Martínez
ISSN: 0034-8708
Year of publication: 2017
Issue Title: Polímeros naturales y de fuentes renovables
Volume: 113
Issue: 723
Type: Article
More publications in: Revista de plásticos modernos: Ciencia y tecnología de polímeros
Abstract
Nowadays, there is a growing interest in polymers coming from renewable sources and with biodegradable characteristics as alternative to traditional plastics. Poly(hydroxyalkanoates), hereafter (PHAs) are polyesters produced by bacteria in nature, and are biodegradable and biocompatible. Within the family of PHAs, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), hereafter (PHB) is the simplest and best-known PHA. It is a biodegradable material with a high capacity to replace petroleum based plastics. Its use has been studied for industrial applications as biodegradable plastic packaging. This material exhibits some limitations due to its high degree of crystallinity, high rigidity, poor mechanical properties, low resistance to thermal degradation and its high cost. Nevertheless, it has interesting properties for it use in the food packaging field, such as biodegradability, optical activity and good barrier properties. This article proposes an overview of this material, from it synthesis a general description of its processing and properties of interest for the industrial sector as well as it compostability as a sustainable end of life option