An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment

The present study aims to explore the degradation process of compostable, starch-based (i.e., Mater-Bi®) shopping bags in the marine environment using isotope ratio mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mixing model applied to the isotopic data suggested that the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied sciences Vol. 13; no. 19; p. 10851
Main Authors Rampazzo, Federico, Calace, Nicoletta, Formalewicz, Malgorzata, Noventa, Seta, Gion, Claudia, Bongiorni, Lucia, De Lazzari, Amelia, Causin, Valerio, Berto, Daniela
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.10.2023
Subjects
Biodegradation
biopolymers
Carbon
carbon isotopes
Cellulose acetate
Circular economy
Composting
FTIR
Infrared spectroscopy
IRMS
Isotopes
Nuclear energy
Plastic pollution
Polyesters
Polyethylene
Polymer industry
Polymers
Polyols
Scientific equipment and supplies industry
Shopping
shopping bags
United States
Austria
Italy
Europe
Germany
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Summary:The present study aims to explore the degradation process of compostable, starch-based (i.e., Mater-Bi®) shopping bags in the marine environment using isotope ratio mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mixing model applied to the isotopic data suggested that the compostable shopping bags had a mixed composition with a higher percentage of polyesters (61% to 72%). Changes in the isotopic composition over a 73-day period of marine water immersion showed a decrease in the corn starch constituent (of 14% to 13%), with a similar rate in both types of bags in accordance with the evidence derived from the infrared spectra. The time required for complete degradation of the starch fraction was estimated by an isotopic approach from 124 to 180 days, following zero-order kinetics. The coupled application of these two analytical methodologies promises to (i) show complementary evidence regarding the time-course degradability of different polymers via FTIR changes, and (ii) infer potential degradation mechanisms via carbon isotope analyzes. We encourage the use of this information to support advancements in the development of more sustainable-by-design plastic materials.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app131910851