Effect of Modification of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) on its Biodegradation in Natural Environments

Abstract

To a considerable extent, the dynamic growth in the production and use of polymer materials that has been observed for many years is related to their high resistance to the action of both abiotic and biotic agents. However, characteristics that are considered to be advantageous when viewed from the standpoint of production and use are perceived as faults, because once they have been used, these materials become a troublesome encumbrance for the environment; sooner or later a high proportion of them becomes waste and goes to the refuse tip or is dumped in the seas and oceans.

Review on the Biological Degradation of Polymers in Various Environments

“…These polymers include polycaprolactone (PCL), which is obtained by ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone. PCL degrades completely in seawater in just a few weeks [ 35 , 61 , 62 ]. The conditions in anaerobic sewage sludge are also suitable [ 61 ], but the slower degradability of 3 mm thick tensile test specimens is again evident, where less than 5% mass loss is detected after 120 days [ 63 ].…”

“…PCL degrades completely in seawater in just a few weeks [ 35 , 61 , 62 ]. The conditions in anaerobic sewage sludge are also suitable [ 61 ], but the slower degradability of 3 mm thick tensile test specimens is again evident, where less than 5% mass loss is detected after 120 days [ 63 ]. In direct comparison to this, PCL degrades in soil, but only very slowly [ 63 ], which can be explained by a low population density of microorganisms.…”

“…In direct comparison to this, PCL degrades in soil, but only very slowly [ 63 ], which can be explained by a low population density of microorganisms. In compost, complete degradation can be observed within a few weeks [ 61 , 63 , 64 ].…”

“…Studies on blends of TPS with PCL are particularly frequent, which significantly improves moisture resistance. The biodegradability of these blends is very good; in seawater, a complete weight loss is achieved after only 5 weeks [ 61 , 62 ]. The example of sewage sludge shows again the great influence of the sample geometry: in [ 63 ], a total mass loss of 29% after 111 days on tensile test specimens was shown, whereas [ 61 ] reports a complete mass loss in sewage sludge after only 4 weeks.…”

“…The biodegradability of these blends is very good; in seawater, a complete weight loss is achieved after only 5 weeks [ 61 , 62 ]. The example of sewage sludge shows again the great influence of the sample geometry: in [ 63 ], a total mass loss of 29% after 111 days on tensile test specimens was shown, whereas [ 61 ] reports a complete mass loss in sewage sludge after only 4 weeks. Further investigations confirm the degradation in soil [ 63 , 98 ] and in composting environments [ 63 , 91 , 99 ].…”