Comparative study of the effect of TiO2 and ZnO on the crystallization of PHB

PHB/TiO2 and PHB/ZnO compounds were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer. Crystallization was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with heating and cooling rates ranging from 5 to 30 °C/min. Fractured surface of selected samples was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). From the SEM images, it was observed that ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles were properly dispersed in the PHB matrix. DSC studies revealed that the addition of TiO2 and ZnO changed the temperature and crystallization rate but did not affect the total crystallinity significantly. In general, TiO2 behaved as nucleating agent greatly influencing the PHB crystallization.