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Biodegradation of poly(vinyl alcohol) in soil environment: Influence of natural organic fillers and structural parameters
Author(s) -
Corti Andrea,
Cinelli Patrizia,
D'Antone Salvatore,
Kenawy ElRefaie,
Solaro Roberto
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/1521-3935(200207)203:10/11<1526::aid-macp1526>3.0.co;2-r
Subject(s) - biodegradation , vinyl alcohol , gelatin , bagasse , polymer , mineralization (soil science) , materials science , polymer blend , chemistry , chemical engineering , composite material , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , pulp and paper industry , engineering , nitrogen , copolymer
The biodegradation of PVA blends with natural polymers, such as gelatin, lignocellulosic by‐products (sugar cane bagasse), as well as poly(vinyl acetate), was investigated in respirometric tests aimed at reproducing soil burial conditions. The observed behavior is discussed in terms of the influence of each blend component on the overall extent of mineralization, by assuming a simple additive behavior. The collected data evidenced that the biodegradation of PVA and PVA‐based materials is rather limited under soil burial conditions. Additionally, PVA depresses the biodegradation of some of the investigated blends, particularly when mixed with gelatin. On the contrary, the hydrophobic character of the natural polymer component as well as the residual content of acetyl groups of the used PVA samples seem to have a positive effect on the biodegradation propensity of the blend.SEM micrograph (750 ×) of PVA/WG composite blend (Sample WGP20).