Directions for environmentally biodegradable polymer research

• Published in: Accounts of chemical research Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 105 - 110
• Main Author: Swift, Graham
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 01.03.1993
• Subjects: 540220 - Environment, Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-); ACRYLIC ACID; ADDITIVES; ALKENES; BIODEGRADATION; CARBOXYLIC ACIDS; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS; DECOMPOSITION; DETERGENTS; EMULSIFIERS; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ETHYLENE; HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS; HYDROCARBONS; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; MANAGEMENT; MATERIALS; MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS; NYLON; ORGANIC ACIDS; ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS; ORGANIC POLYMERS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PACKAGING; PETROCHEMICALS; PETROLEUM PRODUCTS; PLASTICS; POLYAMIDES; POLYMERS; POLYOLEFINS; POLYPROPYLENE; POLYSTYRENE; POLYVINYLS; SOLUBILITY; SURFACTANTS; SYNTHETIC MATERIALS; VINYL CHLORIDE; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WATER; WATER TREATMENT; WETTING AGENTS
• ISSN: 0001-4842; 1520-4898
• DOI: 10.1021/ar00027a005

A major factor promoting interest in biodegradable polymers is the growing concern raised by the recalcitrance and unknown environmental fate of many of the currently used synthetic polymers. These polymers include both water-soluble and water-insoluble types. The former are generally specialty polymers with functional groups that effect water solubility such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, amido, etc.; the latter are usually nonfunctional polymers commonly referred to as commodity plastics. Both types of polymers are widely used in many applications. Water-soluble polymers are used, for example, in cosmetics, water treatment, dispersants, thickeners, detergents, and superabsorbents, and they include poly(acrylic acid), polyacrylamide, poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(ethylene glycol). Plastics are used in packaging, disposable diaper backing, fishing nets, and agricultural film; they include polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(ethylene terephthalate), and Nylon 6.6. In this Account, the author presents a personal perspective on definitions and test protocols for biodegradable polymers as well as how they will influence the future direction and developments in the field. However, before doing so he digresses briefly to present a commentary on the role of biodegradable polymers in environmental waste management. This should be useful for those readers unfamiliar with the subject, and it will set the stage for the rest of the discussion. 36 refs., 3 figs.