Degradation of degradable starch-polyethylene plastics in a compost environment
- Iowa State Univ., Ames (United States)
Degradable plastics have differing degradation rates. Three types of degradation of polyethylene in the starch-polyethylene polymers can occur: chemical degradation, photodegradation, and biological degradation. This study examines all three types of degradation in 11 commercially produced degradable starch-polyethylene bags. Different rates for chemical and photo-degradation were found within a 20 day or an 8-week period. Results indicated that both the 70[degree]C oven and HT-HH film treatments were appropriate methods to evaluate oxidative degradation. In a compost environment, oxygen tension on the surface of the film appears to be the rate-limiting component for both chemical and biological degradation. Levels of starch in all bags was similar, so the prooxidant additive was critical in promoting the oxidative degradation of polyethylene. The Fe-Mn additive displayed the best catalytic activity. This study overall confirms degradation of starch-polyethylene plastics in a natural environment. 17 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6608604
- Journal Information:
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Vol. 59:4; ISSN 0099-2240
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
PLASTICS
COMPOSTING
DECOMPOSITION
POLYETHYLENES
MIXTURES
STARCH
BIODEGRADATION
OXYGEN
POLYMERS
RESINS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYSACCHARIDES
PROCESSING
RADIATIONS
REAGENTS
SACCHARIDES
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
360604* - Materials- Corrosion
Erosion
& Degradation
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology