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DT - Technical Principles > 9. Biodegradable polymers > Flashcards

9. Biodegradable polymers Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two categories that bio-polymers can be split into?

A
  • natural bio-polymers
  • synthetic bio-polymers
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2
Q

What are natural bio-polymers?

A
  • made from natural materials
    • cellulose
    • starch
    • polysaccharides
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3
Q

What are synthetic polymers?

A
  • made from renewable resources but chemically engineered (synthesised) to break down more quickly
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4
Q

What are biodegradable polymers?

A
  • can be made from finite resources such as crude oil
  • contain additives that cause it to degrade more quickly than traditional polymers
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5
Q

What are the disadvantages of biodegradable polymers?

A
  • produce methane gas when decompose in landfill
  • can take high temps to decompose and may leave behind toxic gases
  • cannot be recycled
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6
Q

What are the disadvantages of bio-polymers?

A
  • natural bio-polymers need land to grow
  • cannot be recycled
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7
Q

What are biodegradable polymers?
(examples)

A
  • corn starch polymer
  • potatopak
  • biopol (bio-batch additive) (polyhydroxybutyrate, PHB)
  • polylactic acid (PLA)
  • polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)
  • lactide
  • glycolide (Lactel and Ecofilm)
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8
Q

What are the properties of corn starch polymer?

A
  • natural bio-polymer
  • made from high-starch vegetables (corn, potatoes, maize)
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9
Q

What are the uses of corn starch polymer?

A
  • packaging products
  • straws
  • vending cups
  • disposable cutlery
  • bags
  • takeaway food containers
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10
Q

What are the properties of potatopak?

A
  • natural bio-polymer
  • made from potato starch
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11
Q

What are the uses of potatopak?

A
  • single-use food items such as bowls, cutlery, food trays and serviettes
  • packaging beads or ‘peanuts’
  • bin bags
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12
Q

What are the properties of biopol?

A
  • natural bio-polymer
  • made from bacteria grown in cultures
  • additive to promote degradation
  • usually 1% added to thermoplastics
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13
Q

What are the uses of biopol?

A
  • packaging products such as film and carrier bags
  • vending cups
  • nappies
  • surgical stitches
  • pill coverings
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14
Q

What are the properties of PLA?

A
  • synthetic bio-polymer
  • made from corn kernels or cane sugar
  • fermented to produce lactic acid
  • synthesised to produce polylactic acid
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15
Q

What are the uses of PLA?

A
  • packaging
  • single-use bottles
  • carrier bags
  • plant pots
  • disposable nappies
  • medical sutures
  • 3D printing
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16
Q

What are the properties of PHA?

A
  • natural bio-polymer
  • made from bacteria grown in cultures
  • fully compostable
17
Q

What are the uses of PHA?

A
  • packaging
  • medical uses such as slow release medication patches, films, screws and bone plates
18
Q

What are the properties of lactide?

A
  • synthetic bio-polymer
  • fully compostable
  • water soluble
  • PLA and cellulose based
19
Q

What are the uses of lactide?

A
  • biomedical applications
  • slow release medication
  • bone repair fixings
  • detergent washing sachets
20
Q

What are the properties of glycolide?

A
  • synthetic bio-polymer
  • fully compostable
  • PLA and cellulose based
21
Q

What are the uses of glycolide?

A
  • food film
  • bags
  • packaging wrap
  • bin bags
  • agricultural ground sheet
  • flower wrap
22
Q

What does degradation occur in the presence of?

A
  • light (photo-degradable)
  • oxygen (oxy-degradable)
  • water ((hydro-degradable)
23
Q

What is photo-degradation?

A

where polymer bonds are weakened and the polymer breaks down with exposure to UV lights

24
Q

What is oxy-degradation?

A

where the polymer turns into a fine powder with exposure to oxygen
- is subsequently degraded by the action of micro-organisms

25
Q

What is hydro-degradation?

A

where the polymer quickly breaks down with exposure to water
- is subsequently degraded by the action of micro-organisms

26
Q

Why does degradation occur?

A
  • due to the action of micro-organisms
    • convert material into water, CO2, biomass and possibly methane
27
Q

What is the ability of a polymer to degrade dependent on?

A
  • the structure of the polymer

DT - Technical Principles (29 decks)

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