Properties of Bacterial Polyester-Inorganic Hybrids

Abstract

The hybrid films of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HBV)] and titanium tetraisopropoxide (TP) were prepared by using solvent-cast technique. P(3HBV) became stiff by the addition of TP (the Young's modulus increased from 1.09 GPa for pure P(3HBV) to 1.46 GPa for the hybrid containing TP 20wt%). The addition of TP inhibited the crystallization of P(3HBV). The bioactivity of the hybrids was evaluated by immersion into a simulated body fluid (SBF). The hybrids were bioactive as they induced the formation of calcium phosphate on the surface of the hybrids after immersion into SBF for 7 days. Furthermore, the addition of TP accelerated the alkali hydrolysis of P(3HBV). In contrast, the microbial degradation of the hybrids was slower than that of pure P(3HBV). It is likely that the microorganisms did not recognize as P(3HBV) in the hybrids because TP was dispersed in P(3HBV) matrix at a molecular level.