Biodegradation of mulch films from poly(butylene adipate co‐terephthalate), carnauba wax, and sugarcane residue

Abstract

ABSTRACTPlastic mulching for agricultural purposes is a technique which began in the last century and since then its use has been perfected. The fragments of some large‐scale mulch films used may accumulate in the soil, release toxic substances, and affect soil microbial activity. The environmental problems generated by fragments of plastic films accumulated in soil have prompted the development and large‐scale use of biodegradable plastic mulch films. The aim of this work is to develop biodegradable plastic mulch films from poly(butylene adipate co‐terephthalate (PBAT), sugarcane residue, and carnauba wax and to evaluate its biodegradation when buried in soil. The films, obtained by flat extrusion, contained 2.5 and 5.0% sugarcane residue and 0 and 2.0% carnauba wax. Their biodegradation after burial in soil was monitored by mass loss, visual inspection, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our data show biodegradation in soil to increase with sugarcane residue content and to be independent on carnauba wax addition. This behavior, confirmed by visual inspection, FTIR and SEM images, was associated with the biodegradability of lignocellulosic residues as microorganisms tend to attack this component first, thus eroding fiber/matrix interface and facilitating bio disintegration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48240.