Boosting Degradation of Biodegradable Polymers

Abstract

Biodegradation of polymers in composting conditions is an alternative end‐of‐life (EoL) scenario for contaminated materials collected through the municipal solid waste management system, mainly when mechanical or chemical methods cannot be used to recycle them. Compostability certification requirements are time‐consuming and expensive. Therefore, approaches to accelerate the biodegradation of these polymers in simulated composting conditions can facilitate and speed up the evaluation and selection of potential compostable polymer alternatives and inform faster methods to biodegrade these polymers in real composting. This review highlights recent trends, challenges, and future strategies to accelerate biodegradation by modifying the polymer properties/structure and the compost environment. Both abiotic and biotic methods show potential for accelerating the biodegradation of biodegradable polymers. Abiotic methods, such as the incorporation of additives, reduction of molecular weight, reduction of size and reactive blending, are potentially the most straightforward, providing a level of technology that allows for easy adoption and adaptability. Novel methods, including the concept of self‐immolative and triggering the scission of polymer chains in specific conditions, are increasingly sought. In terms of biotic methods, dispersion/encapsulation of enzymes during the processing step, biostimulation of the environment, and bioaugmentation with specific microbial strains during the biodegradation process are promising to accelerate biodegradation.

Biomass-Derived Degradable Polymers via Alternating Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Exo-Oxanorbornenes and Cyclic Enol Ethers

“…In the quest of next-generation polymer materials, researchers have recently shifted their attention to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly polymers . As an alternative source to petroleum, biomass is abundant and renewable, making it an ideal resource for the production of polymer materials in the future. − In addition, it would be highly desirable to incorporate programmable degradability or depolymerizability into the next-generation polymers, facilitating the chemical recycling or biodegradation after their usage lifetime. , …”

“…4−6 In addition, it would be highly desirable to incorporate programmable degradability or depolymerizability into the next-generation polymers, facilitating the chemical recycling or biodegradation after their usage lifetime. 7,8 The rapid advances in ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) techniques have unlocked the access to a variety of degradable and depolymerizable polymers. 9−13 This can be enabled by the rational design of cyclic alkene monomers that contain degradable functional groups such as acetal, 14−16 ester, 17,18 carbonate, 19 silyl ether, 20 phosphoramidate, 21,22 phosphoester, 23 and enol ether.…”

Characterization of a Model Bioreactive Membrane for the Simultaneous Separation and Hydrolysis of Lipopolysaccharides

“…A medium-sized enzyme (CALB) belonging to lipases (EC 3.1.1.3) was selected as part of the selective layer model. This lipase has also been implemented in various applications such as biodiesel production, polymer degradation, and triglyceride modifications. ,− The catalytic triad of CALB is composed of the three main amino acid residues Asp187, His224, and Ser105 (Asp–His–Ser) . Lipase B has a hydrophobic pocket near the catalytic site which enables it to undertake the cleavage actions at the interface, making it an interfacial enzyme …”

Effect of Oligomers Derived from Biodegradable Polyesters on Eco- and Neurotoxicity

“…Biodegradable materials can ultimately be decomposed to water and CO 2 , but the findings in this study imply that the products produced during the degradation process must be addressed to ensure that the materials are sustainable and safe. The potential toxicity may also provide the design principle of biodegradable polymers; a quite rapid degradation, which has been attracted to avoid the accumulation of plastics in the environment, 48…”