Polyolefin oxo-degradation accelerators - a new trend to promote environmental protection

Barbara Cichy,Edyta Gibas,Ewa Kużdżał,Jacek Kwiecień,Magdalena Piątkowska,Grażyna Rymarz

doi:10.2478/v10026-010-0049-3

Abstract

Polyolefin oxo-degradation accelerators - a new trend to promote environmental protection The paper presents the results of the tests on the preparation of iron (III) stearate - the most prominent oxo-biodegradation agent for polyolefinic plastics. The process chosen for testing was the double precipitation process, using stearic acid alkalised with soda lye and iron (III) chloride or iron (III) sulphate. A number of iron (III) stearate preparation methods described in the literature were tested and an analytical procedure for monitoring the process was developed using both the classical and instrumental techniques. FTIR spectroscopy is the most useful technique for the product quality control and identification. During the study the characteristics of the proper product were also determined using the DSC methods. Microscopy and laser diffraction particle size analysis were applied to determine the size of the precipitated product grains. An application sample of the product obtained by the double decomposition method from iron (III) sulphate as the iron carrier has successfully passed the application tests in the polyethylene packaging film.

Highlights

Progress in polymer science has resulted in the launch of the mass production of synthetic polymeric materials
Among the tested methods of iron(III) stearate preparation by metathesis reaction (Method No1 and No 2) or by double decomposition (Method No 3), the best effects, in terms of the process efficiency and similarity of the product obtained to commercial iron(III) stearate, were achieved in the third method illustrated in the diagram (Figure 1)
The tests performed showed that the best effects, in terms of process efficiency and application properties, were achieved when iron(III) stearate was obtained by the double decomposition of iron(III) chloride or sulphate

Summary

Introduction

Progress in polymer science has resulted in the launch of the mass production of synthetic polymeric materials. In recent years (at the break of the 21st century) the production of synthetic polymers was growing at an annual rate of 5 to 5.5%. This growth may be attributed mainly to the global dissemination of basic polyolefin polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP)), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and, more recently, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturing processes. That image depends on the processes and raw materials used for the manufacturing of these materials and, more importantly, on product recyclability or biodegradability and on the use of renewable resources[1]

Methods

Results

Conclusion