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Title: Water and UV degradable lactic acid polymers

Patent ·
OSTI ID:870630

A water and UV light degradable copolymer of monomers of lactic acid and a modifying monomer selected from the class consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, P-dioxanone, 1,5 dioxepan-2-one, 1,4-oxathialan-2-one, 1,4-dioxide and mixtures thereof. These copolymers are useful for waste disposal and agricultural purposes. Also disclosed is a water degradable blend of polylactic acid or modified polylactic acid and high molecular weight polyethylene oxide wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is present in the range of from about 2 by weight to about 50% by weight, suitable for films. A method of applying an active material selected from the class of seeds, seedlings, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and mixtures thereof to an agricultural site is also disclosed.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
Assignee:
ARCH Development Corporation (Chicago, IL)
Patent Number(s):
US 5563238
OSTI ID:
870630
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (5)

Bioabsorbable Fibers of p-Dioxanone Copolymers book July 1990
The role of hydroperoxides in the photo-oxidation of crosslinked polymer coatings journal January 1991
On the kinetics of polymer degradation in solution: Part XI—Radiolysis of poly(olefin sulfones) journal January 1984
Polyesters derived from 1,4-oxathian-2-ones journal March 1985
Rapidly degraded terpolymers of DL-lactide, glycolide, and ?-caprolactone with increased hydrophilicity by copolymerization with polyethers journal October 1990