| Bagheri, AR; Laforsch, C; Greiner, A; Agarwal, S: Fate of So-Called Biodegradable Polymers in Seawater and Freshwater, Global Challenges, 1700048, 1-5 (2017), doi:10.1002/gch2.201700048 | |
| Stichworte: biodegradable polyesters, freshwater, microplastics, seawater | |
| Abstract: The stability of polymers with C-C and stable C-heteroatom backbones against chemicals, hydrolysis, temperature, light, and microbes has challenged society with the problem of accumulation of plastic waste and its management worldwide. Given careless disposal of plastic waste, large amounts of plastic litter accumulate in the environment and disintegrate into microplastics. One of the questions frequently raised in the recent times is if so-called biodegradable polymers can substitute conventional polymers for several applications and help to tackle this challenge. The answer is not so simple as biodegradability is a certified property occurring only under certain environmental conditions and therefore requires systematic study. As a first step, this study focusses on comparative degradation studies of six polymers (five taken from the so-called biodegradable polyesters, including poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), Ecoflex, and one well-known nondegradable polymer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in artificial seawater and freshwater under controlled conditions for 1 year. Only amorphous PLGA shows 100% degradation as determined by weight loss, change in molar mass with time, NMR, electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. This is a step forward in understanding the degradability of polyesters required for the design of environmentally friendly novel polymers for future use. |
Aktuelle Termine
Aktuelle Termine
| BayCEER Short Courses: |
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| Fr. 26.04.2024 aktuell Mobile Film Making Workshop (for students of BayCEER) |
| Ökologisch-Botanischer Garten: |
| So. 28.04.2024 Führung | Den Sängern auf der Spur: Vogelstimmen im ÖBG (zus. mit LBV) |
| So. 05.05.2024 Führung | Faszination Englische Gärten: Gestaltung und Pflanzen |
| So. 05.05.2024 Midissage | da capo - Ausstellung von Doris Bocka |
| Mi. 15.05.2024 Kurzführung | "Botanische Mittagspause" |