Controlling polymer degradation by addition of plant aromatic polymer, lignin

Abstract

This study examined the accelerated degradation of poly(caprolactone) films using two types of lignin derivatives. The degradation of poly(caprolactone) films was unaffected by the lignin derivative capped hydroxy groups, indicating the participation of radicals from phenolic hydroxy groups in lignin derivatives for accelerating the degradation of films. Furthermore, the role of lignin radicals in relation to polymer degradation changed as per the mechanism of polymer decomposition, e.g., the degradation of poly(ethylene carbonate) films was suppressed by feeding lignin derivatives because of the back biting type decomposition nature of poly(ethylene carbonate), which differs from the radical-mediated addition/cleavage type decomposition nature of poly(caprolactone). These results provide an approach of designing bio-degradative materials from lignin, a natural phenolic polymer.