Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)의 표면 형태가 생분해성에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 용융 상태의 PHB를 서냉 ($-0.5^{circ}C$/min)시켰을 때 PHB의 결정화도는 액체질소 속으로 급냉한 후 $90^{circ}C$에서 2시간 동안 숙성한 PHB의 결정화도보다 높게 나타났으나 전자의 PHB 시료는 미세 균열의 존재로 인하여 후자의 PHB 시료보다 더 빠르게 생분해되었다. 거친 표면을 가진 평판 위에서 hot press하여 표면을 거칠게 만든 PHB film의 생분해는 표면이 평활한 film보다 훨씬 더 빠르게 진행되었다.
The effect of surface roughness on biodegradability of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) was investigated. The PHB film prepared by cooling the molten polymer slowly ($-0.5^{circ}C$/min) had higher crystallinity and melting temperature than that prepared by quenching into liquid nitrogen followed by annealing at $90^{circ}C$ for 2 hours. However, the former sample was found to degrade faster than the latter due to presence of microscopic crack. Roughening the surface of a PHB film by hot pressing under a coarse surfaced plate accelerated the bioerosion considerably of the sample in comparison with the sample having the same thermal history but smooth surface.
