Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is produced by bacteria, serving as intracellular carbon storage compound. PHBV is advantageous concerning biocompatibility and biodegradability, but its low crystallization rate hinders the melt-processing of fibers. By combining PHBV with melt-spinnable polylactide (PLA) in a core-sheath configuration and introducing a new spin pack concept, this problem could be overcome. The resulting bicomponent fibers had an ultimate tensile stress of up to 0.34 GPa and an E-modulus of up to 7.1 GPa. X-ray diffraction revealed that PLA alone was responsible for tensile strength. In vitro biocompatibility studies with human fibroblasts revealed good cytocompatibility, making PHBV-PLA bicomponent fibers promising candidates for medical therapeutic approaches.

Biodegradable bicomponent fibers from renewable sources

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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