Analytical Methods for Monitoring Biodegradation Processes of Environmentally Degradable Polymers

Biobased Chitosan/Polybenzoxazine Cross-Linked Films: Preparation in Aqueous Media and Synergistic Improvements in Thermal and Mechanical Properties

“…However, their use is generally associated with some drawbacks, including poor mechanical and thermal properties. These disadvantages can be mitigated by combining biopolymers with synthetic polymers. − The hybridization of biomacromolecules and synthetic polymers may lead to polymer blends or copolymers of enhanced properties and promising applications. , In recent years, development of materials from natural, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymeric materials has attracted great attention of academic and industrial communities. Among the biomacromolecules, chitosan (CTS) has been actively studied and used in many applications during the past few decades. , …”

“…CTS is a modified high molecular weight and branched polysaccharide produced by deacetylation of chitin obtained from crab and shrimp shells. Chitin is reported to be the second most available biomacromolecule on Earth after cellulose. , It is a polar biopolymer with unique physicochemical properties due to the presence of reactive amine (−NH 2 ) and hydroxyl (−OH) functional groups that can easily bind with various reactive groups. ,− CTS can be dissolved in dilute acidic aqueous solutions containing acetic, propionic, lactic, citric, and other acids. ,,, However, it is insoluble in common organic solvents as well as in water . Because of its high chemical reactivity, low cost and environmental friendliness, CTS has been widely used in various fields such as medicine, food, agriculture and wastewater treatment. , Nonetheless, CTS is a brittle material and has several problems, such as insolubility in organic solvents as well as poor thermo-mechanical properties.…”

Partial Polymer Blend for Fused Filament Fabrication with High Thermal Stability

“…The low temperature treated combination (161 °C, 25 °C) shows the reduction of −1% (85–86%)) in C-O-C groups and −5% (85–90%) in C=O groups. The minor decrease of C-O-C groups, showing chain scission [ 39 ], and the high depletion of C=O groups, showing the probable chemical grafting with MAH [ 12 ], thus provide a chemical justification for high strength at low printing temperature (161 °C) in main effects plots ( Figure 3 b). On the contrary, the high temperature combination (171 °C, 85 °C) presents −1.7% (88–89.7%) of C-O-C and −0.8% (91.2–92%) of C=O.…”

“…On the contrary, the high temperature combination (171 °C, 85 °C) presents −1.7% (88–89.7%) of C-O-C and −0.8% (91.2–92%) of C=O. The reduction of 1.9% as compared to 1% in C-O-C and 0.8% as compared to 5% in C=O shows comparatively more chain scission [ 39 ] and less chemical grafting [ 12 ], respectively. This explains the decrease of tensile strength in “main effect plots” after thermal treatment ( Figure 3 ).…”

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

“…The methodology herein more closely resembles standard methods designed to evaluate plastics for resistance to microbial breakdown after inoculating specimens with fungal spores 18,19 . When formulations of plastics are known and a source of the feedstock is available, powdered plastic can be suspended in agar-based media and degradation determined by visualization of clearing zones 13 . This method has been used previously to identify microorganisms that degrade polymers such as polyurethane 20 , poly-(butylene succinate-co-adipate) 21 , and poly(lactic acid) 22 .…”