Open AccessEvaluation of LDPE Degradation Under Controlled Composting
Author(s) -
S. P. Singh,
Shiv Shankar,
. Shikha
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nature, environment and pollution technology/nature, environment and pollution technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.154
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 2395-3454
pISSN - 0972-6268
DOI - 10.46488/nept.2021.v20i03.041
Subject(s) - low density polyethylene , compost , crystallinity , differential scanning calorimetry , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , polyethylene , materials science , scanning electron microscope , thermogravimetric analysis , biodegradation , exfoliation joint , degradation (telecommunications) , composite material , chemical engineering , chemistry , waste management , organic chemistry , telecommunications , physics , graphene , computer science , engineering , thermodynamics , nanotechnology
The compost burial test was performed to determine the degradation of commercially available low-density polyethylene in natural compost for a period of six months. Biodegradability of polyethylene films in compost was monitored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-Ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and weight reduction analysis. After six months of compost exposure, a major change over the surface of LDPE was observed. SEM images clearly showed the exfoliation and cracks on the film leading to degradation. The other analysis also showed a change in the thermal properties and crystallinity of the LDPE films. The composting method could prove to be the reliable and ecological method of degrading plastic waste without hindering the natural ecosystem.