Abstract
Recently, polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) based material has been gaining attention. Despite its use as an intermediate in various industries, the degradation process of PFA has rarely been reported. In this study, neat PFA (PF) and polylactic acid (PLA) incorporated PFA (PF-PL) based thermoset biopolymers were prepared by casting method. The degradation of the prepared biopolymer specimens was carried out under environmental conditions via soil-burial test and photo-degradation method for 21-months. The extent of degradation of PF and PF-PL was assessed by evaluating weight loss, variation in mechanical properties and change in complex viscosity. Structural and morphological changes of degraded PF and PF-PL samples were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Weight loss percentage in case of photo-degraded samples was found to be much higher compared to soil buried specimens. SEM micrographs showed a blistered surface and visible cracks on the surface of soil buried and photo-degraded samples, respectively. FTIR spectra of photo-degraded samples showed a new peak at 673 cm−1 indicating the furan ring opening during the degradation process. Significant variation in mechanical properties of PF and PF-PL specimens after soil-burial test also indicated biodegradable nature of the biopolymers. Approximately 45% and 63% of loss in tensile strength was obtained in PF and PF-PL soil buried specimens, respectively. Complex viscosity was lowest for PF and PF-PL samples after 21 months of degradation compared to undegraded specimens thus indirectly indicating the decrease in molecular weight after degradation. All the obtained data revealed the fragmentation of biopolymers, hence supporting the biodegradable nature of PFA-based biopolymer.
Highlights
In the last two decades, the world has become more aware and concerned about the environment
In-depth knowledge of the degradability nature of biopolymer is crucial for developing efficient polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) biopolymer and achieving the way it has been targeted to be used
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images clearly showed the modification on the surface of the polymers in the form of holes after the soil-burial degradation process
Summary
In the last two decades, the world has become more aware and concerned about the environment It is a well-known fact that the surplus use of synthetic polymers has adverse effects on our ecosystem. Soil-burial test is considered as a viable way to study the degradation process of biopolymers [12]. In this method, polymers get attracted by various micro-organisms (bacteria/fungi), which release enzymes capable of degrading chemical bonds of polymer chains leading to the depolymerization step. This study will provide essential information about the extents of degradability and stability of biopolymer specimens during the degradation process so that appropriate use can be planned
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