Biodegradation in Soil of PLA/PBAT Blends Compatibilized with Chain Extender

Autor(es)

Palsikowski, Paula Alessandra ^[1] ; Kuchnier, Caroline N. ^[1] ; Pinheiro, Ivanei F. ^[1] ; Morales, Ana Rita ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] State Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Chem Engn, Av Albert Einstein 500, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT; v. 26, n. 1, p. 330-341, JAN 2018.
• Citações Web of Science: 19

Resumo

This paper presents a study of biodegradation, in soil, of samples of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and blends of these materials prepared in torque rheometer with the addition of a chain extender. Film samples of these materials were buried in soil under controlled laboratory conditions. The degraded samples were regularly taken from soil and analyzed by visual inspection, size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. Respirometry biodegradation tests were conducted to assess samples mineralization degree. Blends showed higher degree of crystallinity compared to pure polymers. Crystallinity degree enhanced during the biodegradation process in all samples, being able to causing the samples to degrade slowly. The study showed the great complexity of the biodegradation process of PLA and PBAT blends when compatibilized with a chain extender. The biodegradation rate showed different results depending on the characteristic applied to evaluate it: visual, molecular weight or mineralization. The chain extender had strong influence in PBAT and blends degradation, slowing the process as observed by the variation of molecular weight and carbonyl index. Blends showed an intermediate behavior compared to the original polymers. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/09883-5 - Estudo dos impactos ambientais e dos efeitos genotóxicos e mutagênicos de polímeros biodegradáveis
• Beneficiário: Ana Rita Morales
• Linha de fomento: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular