Biodegradation studies of cellulose and its vinylic graft copolymers by thermal analysis and mechanical spectroscopy

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Cotton cellulose with different % NaOH treatments and graft copolymers of cellulose prepared with vinyl acetate (AV) and methyl acrylate (MA), and Ce(IV) ion as an initiator were submitted to biodegradation conditions. Cellulose is a biopolymer consisting solely of glucose units, and, consequently, is also easily biodegradable. Nevertheless, modified cellulose, for example, by graft copolymerization, shows an increased resistance to biodegradation. The aim of this work was to study by calorimetric and dynamic-mechanical analysis how the chemical modification of cellulose affects its biodegradability. From the obtained results some information has also been deduced about the composition and mechanical behavior of the vinylic grafted chains.

Thermal degradation and biodegradability of poly (lactic acid)/corn starch biocomposites

“…As a result, the accessibility of the enzymes would be reduced. Flaqué et al and Moreno‐Chulim et al reported that the graft reaction of vinylic and acrylic chains onto the OH groups of cellulose and starch reduced the accessibility of the enzymes produced by the microorganism, resulting in less biodegradation of grafted materials 30, 31…”

Radiation-induced grafting of vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride (VBT) onto cotton fabric and study of its anti-bacterial activities

“…In addition, its easy bio-degradability (Flaque et al, 2000;Takacs et al, 2000) is an added attraction for the environmentally conscious society. However, it suffers from drawbacks like inflammability, poor crease retention and is prone to bacterial and fungal attack.…”

Biodegradation of starch and acrylic‐grafted starch by Aspergillus niger

“…For this reason, studies on the biodegradation of grafted and ungrafted starch should be performed to clarify this process. Flaqué et al20 reported that grafted vinylic chains blocked the OH groups of cellulose and reduced the accessibility of the enzymes produced by the microorganism; this resulted in less biodegradation of grafted cellulose. We can expect this behavior for the biodegradation of grafted starch because of the very similar molecular structures (the same repetitive units) of cellulose and starch.…”