Oxo-Biodegradability of Polyethylene Blends with Starch, Cellulose and Synthetic Additives

Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) is a pollutant packaging and mulch material. Therefore, it is necessary to raise its oxobiodegradability by additives. Oxo-biodegradation is the degradation of PE in two steps: oxidation followed by microorganisms biodegradation. In this study, starch and cellulose are compared with synthetic additives. The results reveal that starch and cellulose cannot increase oxygen absorption and oxygenation as good as synthetic additives. However, they increase water absorption and make the surface of the bulk polymer more porous. Hence, the blends with starch and cellulose can be attacked more easily by microorganisms.

Effects of microcrystalline cellulose on the mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene composites

“…The limitation of motion of the LDPE chains and the increase in composite’s brittleness is attributed to the addition of incompatible components to the flexible matrix; hence, the elongation is expected to decrease. The reduction in the matrix molecules mobility is a subsequence of interaction between cellulose which is stronger than the matrix, so cellulose agglomerates and traps the matrix molecules inside their network and reduces mobility, and therefore, the composites will break at lower elongation, also the weak adhesion forces between cellulose and matrix reduce the elongation, once again, this agrees with the conclusions obtained by Shamsabadi et al, 8 Pollanen et al, 11 Shamsuri et al, 12 and Koroleva et al 15 By increasing the MCC content within LDPE composites, the elastic modulus increases up to 20 wt% MCC, and at this concentration, the elastic modulus increased by about 12 folds of the elastic modulus of neat LDPE as shown in Figure 7. Beyond this MCC concentration, the elastic modulus begins to decrease but remains higher than that of pure LDPE with about seven folds at a composition of 30 wt% MCC.…”

Enhanced degradation properties of polypropylene integrated with iron and cobalt stearates and its synthetic application

“…These characteristics resulted in a higher amount of residue forming during the decomposition of PPFe5 compared to PPCo5. As the decomposition temperature was low, the material decomposed within a short interval of time and formed a higher percentage of residue …”

Evaluation by IR spectroscopy of the degradation of different types of commercial polyethylene exposed to UV radiation and domestic compost in ambient conditions

“…3-5-PE photodegradation by UV-B radiation causes chain scission, formation of carbonyl (C O) and vinyl (CH 2 CH) groups, and hydrophilic surface modification, through the Norrish type II reaction, see Figure 1. 4,[6][7][8] Vinyl and carbonyl compounds, which are favorable to microorganisms. 9 Biodegradable polymers are a sustainable alternative to reduce the accumulation of plastics in the environment due to their decomposition into CO 2 , methane, water, inorganic components, and biomass.…”

“…Nevertheless, PE is not a biodegradable polymer because of its high molecular weight, large molecules, and hydrophobic behavior. However, the degradability and hydrophilicity of PE could be increased by thermodegradation and/or photodegradation reactions 3–5 1 4,6–8 .…”

“…However, the degradability and hydrophilicity of PE could be increased by thermodegradation and/or photodegradation reactions 3–5 1 4,6–8 . Vinyl and carbonyl compounds, which are favorable to microorganisms 9 …”