Abstract
Biodegradable materials are used in packaging, agriculture, medicine and other areas. In recent years there has been an increase in interest in biodegradable polymers. Two classes of biodegradable polymers can be distinguished: synthetic or natural polymers. There are polymers produced from feedstocks derived either from petroleum resources (non renewable resources) or from biological resources (renewable resources). In general natural polymers offer fewer advantages than synthetic polymers. The following review presents an overview of the different biodegradable polymers that are currently being used and their properties, as well as new developments in their synthesis and applications.
Highlights
The same durability properties which make plastics ideal for many applications such as in packaging, building materials and commodities, as well as in hygiene products, can lead to wastedisposal problems in the case of traditional petroleum-derived plastics, as these materials are not readily biodegradable and because of their resistance to microbial degradation, they accumulate in the environment
Natural polymers are available in large quantities from renewable sources, while synthetic polymers are produced from non renewable petroleum resources
Thermoplastic starch or plasticized starch offers an interesting alternative for synthetic polymers in specific applications
Summary
The same durability properties which make plastics ideal for many applications such as in packaging, building materials and commodities, as well as in hygiene products, can lead to wastedisposal problems in the case of traditional petroleum-derived plastics, as these materials are not readily biodegradable and because of their resistance to microbial degradation, they accumulate in the environment. Biodegradation takes place through the action of enzymes and/or chemical deterioration associated with living organisms. The first one is the fragmentation of the polymers into lower molecular mass species by means of either abiotic reactions, i.e. oxidation, photodegradation or hydrolysis, or biotic reactions, i.e. degradations by microorganisms This is followed by bioassimilation of the polymer fragments by microorganisms and their mineralisation. The mechanical behaviour of biodegradable materials depends on their chemical composition [2,3], the production, the storage and processing characteristics [4,5], the ageing and the application conditions [6]
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