Introduction of Environmentally Degradable Parameters to Evaluate the Biodegradability of Biodegradable Polymers

Abstract

Environmentally Degradable Parameter (Ed K) is of importance in the describing of biodegradability of environmentally biodegradable polymers (BDPs). In this study, a concept Ed K was introduced. A test procedure of using the ISO 14852 method and detecting the evolved carbon dioxide as an analytical parameter was developed, and the calculated Ed K was used as an indicator for the ultimate biodegradability of materials. Starch and polyethylene used as reference materials were defined as the Ed K values of 100 and 0, respectively. Natural soil samples were inoculated into bioreactors, followed by determining the rates of biodegradation of the reference materials and 15 commercial BDPs over a 2-week test period. Finally, a formula was deduced to calculate the value of Ed K for each material. The Ed K values of the tested materials have a positive correlation to their biodegradation rates in the simulated soil environment, and they indicated the relative biodegradation rate of each material among all the tested materials. Therefore, the Ed K was shown to be a reliable indicator for quantitatively evaluating the potential biodegradability of BDPs in the natural environment.

Biodegradable Polymers: Present Opportunities and Challenges in Providing a Microplastic‐Free Environment

“…Although the use of biodegradable polymers appears to be highly promising based on recent and past studies, several aspects need to be considered about environmental sustainability, structure–property relationships, and biodegradation in the complex natural environment. [ 4 ] Intensive efforts need to be invested in developing new environmentally biodegradable and smart polymers with hidden triggers to initiate biodegradation in the environment. The present viewpoint article discusses the present scenario of environmental acceptability of biodegradable polymers and the opportunities and challenges they offer to solve the problem of MPs and their impact on the environment.…”

Bamboo fabric reinforced polypropylene and poly(lactic acid) for packaging applications: Impact, thermal, and physical properties

“…In the family of biopolymers, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been considered as the most promising candidate because of its intrinsic biodegradability, excellent tensile properties, good transparency, and easy processability in most equipment . Unfortunately, the widespread application of PLA as packaging has been hampered due to its low impact strength when compared with most petroleum‐based polymers, poor heat distortion temperature (HDT), and strong hydrophilic behavior (poor moisture barrier) .…”

Biosynthesis and Thermal Properties of PHBV Produced from Levulinic Acid by Ralstonia eutropha

“…Biosynthesized polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers are currently attracting much interest from researchers because of their physical properties, which are similar to those of conventional thermoplastics, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) [1]–[3]. A variety of bacteria are known to use various carbon substrates to synthesize PHAs under limiting growth conditions [4]–[9], including Ralstonia eutropha , a model bacterium for PHA synthesis [10]–[11].…”