Assessment of the interrelation between photooxidation and biodegradation of selected polyesters after artificial weathering
Language English Country England, Great Britain Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
22534201
DOI
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.03.072
PII: S0045-6535(12)00440-7
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Photochemical Processes * MeSH
- Oxidation-Reduction MeSH
- Polyesters chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Soil MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Polyesters MeSH
- Soil MeSH
Three commercially available biodegradable polymers, two different aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters and polylactic acid, intended for the fabrication of agricultural mulching films, in addition to other applications, were subjected to a series of tests with the aim of studying the relationship between their photooxidation and biodegradation. Photooxidation resulted in the rearrangement of polymeric chains, in the case of both copolyesters the events led to polymeric chain crosslinking and the formation of insoluble polymeric gel. The tendency was significantly more pronounced for the copolyester with the higher content of the aromatic constituent. As regards polylactic acid photochemical reactions were not accompanied by crosslinking but instead provoked chain scissions. A biodegradation experiment showed that, despite marked structural changes, the extent of photooxidation was not the decisive factor, which significantly modified the rate of biodegradation in all three materials investigated. The specific surface area of the sample specimens was shown to be more important.
References provided by Crossref.org
Melt Viscoelastic Assessment of Poly(Lactic Acid) Composting: Influence of UV Ageing
