Biodegradation rate of biodegradable plastics at molecular level

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 147; pp. 237 - 244
• Main Authors: Chinaglia, Selene, Tosin, Maurizio, Degli-Innocenti, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; ASTM D 5988-12; Biodegradability; Biodegradable plastics; Biodegradation; Environmental conditions; enzyme kinetics; Image analysis; Kinetics; Microorganisms; Mineralization; Mineralization rate; particle size; Pellets; Plastics; Polybutylene sebacate; Polymers; Reaction kinetics; Regression analysis; soil; Surface area; Windows (intervals); Polybutylene sebacate; Biodegradable plastics; Kinetics; Surface area; Mineralization rate; ASTM D 5988-12

Plastics are solid materials where biodegradation happens on the surface. Only the surface is affected by biodegradation while the inner part should not be readily available for biodegradation. Thus, at a laboratory level, the biodegradation rate is expected to be a function of the surface area of t...