Degradation of polyesteramides during composting under standard and isothermal conditions
Language English Country United States Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- MeSH
- Biodegradation, Environmental MeSH
- Fungi metabolism MeSH
- Hydrolysis MeSH
- Caprolactam chemical synthesis chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Caproates chemical synthesis chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Lactones chemical synthesis chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Polymers chemical synthesis chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Soil analysis MeSH
- Temperature MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- caprolactone MeSH Browser
- Caprolactam MeSH
- Caproates MeSH
- Lactones MeSH
- Polymers MeSH
- Soil MeSH
Polyesteramides based on epsilon-caprolactam and epsilon-caprolactone differing in the content of ester-amide structural units were subjected to biodegradation - composting in a big compost pile under controlled conditions (controlled composting) and in small composters at a steady temperature of 60 degrees C (isothermal composting). Both types of composting resulted in degradation of the polyesteramides depending on copolymer composition, isothermal composting being more robust. The contribution of abiotic hydrolysis to the degradation of polyesteramides was studied at 60 degrees C in buffer solutions with pH 5.4, 7.4 and 8.4. The prevailing effect of abiotic hydrolysis over biological one was shown at 60 degrees C. Ester bonds in polyestramide chains were preferentially cleaved; therefore, the scope of degradation increased with the content of ester units in the copolymer.
