Mechanical properties and highly-ordered structural analysis of elastic poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] fibers fabricated by partially melting crystals

Poly[( R )-3-hydroxybutyrate- co -( )-3-hydroxyvalerate] (P(3HB- -3HV)) elastic fibers were prepared at temperatures close to or below the melting temperature by partially thin crystals with no associated reduction in molecular weight. The obtained exhibited properties and good long-term stability of their mechanical properties, even after aging for 330 days. Cycle tests conducted simultaneous in-situ wide-angle X-ray diffraction small-angle scattering using synchrotron radiation investigate mechanisms governing these fibers’ elasticity. It was determined that main factor contributing elasticity is reversibility between random coil structure tie molecules planar zigzag conformation chains response loading unloading. • P(3HB- -3HV) T m . Elastic properties. situ WAXD/SAXS measurements. generation mechanism proposed.