Controlled biodegradation of polymers using nanoparticles and its application

Abstract

The disposal of non-degradable plastics is augmented exponentially as a result of poor recycling efficacy. The development of biodegradable plastics has become indispensable in last two decades because of its origin from renewable resources. The potential interest in biodegradable plastics involves eco-friendly obliteration via microbial action which transform into carbon dioxide and water resulting pollution free natural system. Even though its lucrative interest lies in multiple areas, some of the properties such as brittleness, poor thermal, mechanical and low gas barrier properties restrict their practical uses. Incorporation of nanoparticle in polymer matrix or by making nanocomposites overcomes the shortcomings of the biodegradable polymers. For further improving the aforementioned properties, several approaches have been utilized especially incorporation of nanoparticle in polymer matrix to prepare nanocomposites. One of the great advantages of nanoparticles is to tune the rate of biodegradation (both increase and decrease as compared to the rate of pure polymer) depending upon the need. Thus, chemical, physical and biological properties of the biodegradable polymers can be modified and controlled for sustainable application in medical and other areas. This review considers the major concerns about the type of biodegradable polyesters and their nanocomposites, great details about mechanism of biodegradation, factors influencing the biodegradation and their applications in biomedical and packaging industries.

Chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/amino functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube pervaporation membranes: Synthesis, characterization, and performance

“…Thus, it can be concluded that the addition of MWCNT to the CS/PVA membranes results in the formation of membranes with higher biodegradability. This conclusion is confirmed by Kumar el al . They reported that good dispersion of fillers in the exfoliated nanostructure degrades the polymer more rapidly compared to the pure membrane …”

“…This conclusion is confirmed by Kumar el al. 48 They reported that good dispersion of fillers in the exfoliated nanostructure degrades the polymer more rapidly compared to the pure membrane. 48…”

Multiphase TiO2nanostructures: a review of efficient synthesis, growth mechanism, probing capabilities, and applications in bio-safety and health

“…The dominant physicochemical properties of TiO 2 nanostructures are classi-ed in terms of their crystallinity, purity, structure, chemical composition, size-and/or shape-distribution, dimensionality and defect centres, which can be easily modied by changing the parameters during various synthetic methods. TiO 2 nanostructures have been widely explored owing to their extensive applications across a myriad of areas, particularly in photocatalysis, including those for the decomposition of organic/ inorganic dyes, 16,23,[36][37][38][39][40] hydrogen production from water, [41][42][43][44] removal of pollutants and plastics from the environment, [45][46][47][48] dye-sensitized solar cells, 49 sensors, 50 sunscreens, [51][52][53][54] paints, 55,56 rechargeable batteries, [57][58][59] supercapacitors, 60 food colouring, [61][62][63][64] environmental remediation and biomedical elds. 95,96 Over the past few decades, extensive research effort has been dedicated to the engineering of TiO 2 nanostructures synthesized via chemical routes, such as sol-gel, [97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104]…”

Recent Advances in Nanocomposites Based on Aliphatic Polyesters: Design, Synthesis, and Applications in Regenerative Medicine

“…The products of enzymatic degradation and hydrolysis are the same, but the two pathways differ in the catalyst involved. The cleavage of ester bonds of APs is mediated by lipases, cutinases, serine proteases, PHB depolymerase, PCL depolymerase, elastase esterase, proteinase K, and trypsin [92]. Enzymatic degradation is therefore a heterogeneous process, which occurs via two steps of adsorption and hydrolysis.…”