Degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its blends during treatment with UV light and water

The degradation of films of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and its blends with ethylene-propylene rubber during their treatment with water and UV radiation at 20 and 90°C is studied. Changes in the structural characteristics of both components during degradation are investigated via DSC, IR spectroscopy, and optical microscopy. It is shown that pure poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) features the highest weight loss during degradation in distilled water at 20°C. In the case of the blends, the most significant changes in the structures of the components are observed for the 50: 50 (wt %) sample.