Hobbies And Interests
Organic Polymers
For a material to be considered biodegradable, measurable tests must verify that microorganisms can break down the materials through enzymatic action, producing carbon dioxide, water and biomass. Polymers with multiple organic atoms within them have a high biodegradability rate, so engineers can make polymers biodegradable by including chemical linkages such as anhydride, ester or amide bonds. Amide bonds are linked to nitrogen, ester bonds are based on oxygen and hydrogen, and anhydride bonds are attached to an oxygen atom.
Plant-Derived Plastics
Plastics are a major part of packaging. Since packages are often disposed of after use, they can harm the environment if they are not biodegradable. One way to create biodegradable polymers is to extract starch, cellulose and fiber from various kinds of plants. These polymer sources allow manufacturers to create plastics that are not only environmentally friendly, but also more economical. Engineers take natural polymers that break down on their own and modify them so that they meet the needs of the engineering application.
Water-Soluble Polymers
Scientists developed biodegradable polymers for products that are poured down the drain, such as detergents and cosmetics. The water-soluble polymers are conventionally made from substances such as maleic anhydride, acrylic acid, methacrylic and other monomer combinations, which are not biodegradable. They remain in oceans and lakes. However, researchers have developed versions of these products that are made using modified forms of starches, fibers and cellulose so that they safely break down in the environment.
Hydrolysable Backbones
Biodegradable polymers are increasingly needed as various economies develop, increasing the need for polymers used in packaging and other industrial processes. When polymers accumulate in excessive numbers, they can negatively impact plants by interfering with the absorption of nutrients. Another biodegradable option is a group of polymers that have hydrolysable backbones, known as polyesters. Most polyesters are biodegradable, but some polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate, are not biodegradable.