Biodegradable Polymers

Biodegradable polymers

Biodegradable polymers are a special class of polymer that breaks down after its intended purpose by bacterial decomposition process to result in natural byproducts such as gases (CO2, N2), water, biomass, and inorganic salts.These polymers are found both naturally and synthetically made, and largely consist of ester, amide, and ether functional groups. Their properties and breakdown mechanism are determined by their exact structure. These polymers are often synthesized eby condensation reactions, ring opening polymerization, and metal catalysts. There are vast examples and applications of biodegradable polymers.

Bio-based packaging materials have been introduced as a green alternative in the past decades, among which, edible films have gained more attention due to their environmentally-friendly characteristics, vast variety and availability, non-toxicity, and low cost.

Properties

(1)non-toxic

(2)capable of maintaining good mechanical integrity until degraded

(3)capable of controlled rates of degradation

Example

The common examples of aliphatic biodegradable polymers are
(i)polyglycolic acid(PGA),
(ii)Polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB),
(iii)Polyhydroxy butyrates-co-beta hydroxyl (iv)valerate( PHBV),
(v)Polycaprolactone(pcl),
(vi)Nylon-2-nylon-6 etc.

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