Influence of Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles on the Soil Burial Degradation of Polybutyleneadipate-Co-Butylenetherephthalate Films

Abstract

A polybutyleneadipate-co-butylenetherephthalate (PBAT) sample, commercially known as Ecoflex®, was processed via melt extrusion with CaCO3 nanoparticles coated with a hydrophobic coating. Blown films of PBAT and two composites with nanofiller (2% and 5%wt) were prepared and degradation tests in soil at 30 °C up to 180 days were carried out with weight loss measurements. Furthermore, biodegradation test according to ISO 14851 was carried out at 30 °C. The effect of CaCO3 on soil burial degradation was assessed by surface wettability and SEM. ATR-FTIR and XPS analyses highlighted chemical modifications induced by soil degradation. CaCO3 nanoparticles decreased surface wettability and discouraged the disintegration in soil. Interestingly, SEM images after soil degradation highlighted in the nanocomposite films selective zones of disintegration. XPS showed an increasing peak area C 1s ratio of C–O to C=O with degradation time. Moreover, after the soil burial test, carbonyl index determined by ATR-FTIR increased in both nanocomposites. In fact, the addition of CaCO3 leads to a rise in the carbonyl zone due to the presence of the carbonate group. Remarkably, FTIR data after soil degradation showed an enrichment of the aromatic content, a preferential cleavage and erosion of the aliphatic moiety in PBAT films, amplified by the presence of the CaCO3 nanofiller.

Effects of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid) plastic degradation on soil ecosystems

“…(2019) observed a degradation rate of 18.4% for PBAT films (1*1 cm 2 ) in soils at 28°C over 182 days, while Rapisarda et al. (2022) observed PBAT films (2*2 cm 2 ) degradation rate of 4.6% after 90 days of biodegradation at 30°C. Meanwhile, PLA (pellets) exhibited a degradation level of approximately 16% over 180 days at a controlled temperature of 25 ± 2°C (Palsikowski et al., 2018).…”

“…In a comprehensive study on the biodegradation of different biodegradable plastics, PBAT (2 mm film) exhibited variable degradation rates after 120 days of exposure to various soil types at a temperature of 30°C in darkness, ranging from 0.3 to 16% (Han et al, 2021). Souza et al (2019) observed a degradation rate of 18.4% for PBAT films (1*1 cm 2 ) in soils at 28°C over 182 days, while Rapisarda et al (2022) observed PBAT films (2*2 cm 2 ) degradation rate of 4.6% after 90 days of biodegradation at 30°C. Meanwhile, PLA (pellets) exhibited a degradation level of approximately 16% over 180 days at a controlled temperature of 25 ± 2°C (Palsikowski et al, 2018).…”

Wood flour and hazelnut shells polylactide‐based biocomposites for packaging applications: Characterization, photo‐oxidation, and compost burial degradation

“…Biocomposites were unearthed after established intervals (10 and 30 days), brushed gently, cleaned with distilled water numerous times, and dried at room temperature, in the presence of P 2 O 5 , under vacuum to constant weight. 42 The degree of degradation was estimated by WL by the Equation ( 1):…”

High-Glass-Transition Polyesters Produced with Phthalic Anhydride and Epoxides by Ring-Opening Copolymerization (ROCOP)

“…poly(LO-alt-PA) possesses substituent groups that limit accessibility to ester groups, on whose hydrolysis the degradation of the tested polymeric materials depends. Because biodegradability is one of the properties of these polymers, biodegradability tests were performed according to ISO standard 14851 [36] with the respirometric BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) method [39]. Figure 6 shows the average percentage of biodegradation plotted as a function of time for LOPA 08, LOPA 10, and the positive reference (microcrystalline cellulose).…”