biodegradable polymers Flashcards
what are natural biopolymers
made from natural materials such as cellulose, starch and polysaccharides
what are synthetic polymers
made from renewable chemically engineered sources that break down more quickly
what are implications of using biodegradable polymers (5)
- can produce methane gas when they decompose in landfill contributing to global warming
- can use high temperatures to decompose and may leave behind toxic residues
- biopolymer and biodegradable have different meanings to a customer which may be confusing and potentially making it harder to make a positive environmental choice when shopping
- cannot be recycled
- can be processed in the same way as thermoplastics ie injection moulding
what is a bio degradable polymer
made from finite resources like crude oil and contains additives that cause it to degrade quicker than traditional polymers
what are the implications of biopolymers (4)
- natural biopolymers need land to grow on including GM crops
- cannot be recycled and their use may encourage people to not recycle and promote throwaway culture
- can be processed in the same way as thermoplastics ie injection moulding
- biopolymer and biodegradable have different meanings to a customer which may be confusing and potentially making it harder to make a positive environmental choice when shopping
what type of biopolymer is corn starch polymer
natural
what is corn starch polymer made from
high starch vegetables such as potatoes or corn
corn starch polymer uses
packaging products ,
straws , vending cups , disposable cutlery, take away food containers, bags
how does corn starch polymers degrade
microorganisms
what type of biopolymer polymer is potatopak
natural
what is potatopak made from
potato starch
potatopak uses
single use food items like bowls, cutlery, food trays, packaging peanuts , bin bag
how does potatopak degrade
microorganisms
what type of biopolymer is Biopol
what is biopol the trade name for
natural
PHB
what is biopol made of
bacteria grown in cultures
biopol uses
packaging products such as film, carrier bags, pill coverings and surgical stitches
how does biopol degrade
additive
what type of biopolymer is polylactic acid (PLA)
synthetic
What is PLA made of
corn kernels or came sugar fermented to produce lactic acid then synthesised into PLA
PLA uses
packaging, single use bottles, 3D printing, plant pots
what type of biopolymer is PHA
natural
what is PHA made from
bacteria grown in cultures
PHA uses
packaging, medical uses such as slow release medication patches, film, screws and bone plates
How does PHA degrade
fully compostable
what type of biopolymer is lactide
synthetic
lactide uses
slow release medication, bone repair fixings, detergent washing sachets
how does lactide degrade
fully compostable, water soluble
what is lactide made from
PLA and cellulose based
what type of biopolymer is Glycolide
synthetic
glycolide uses
food film, bags, packaging wrap, bin bags, flower wrap
what is glycolide made from
PLA and cellulose
glycolide degradtion
fully compostable
degradation in biopolymers occur in the presence of
- light (photodegradable)
- oxygen ( oxydegradble)
- water (hydrodegradble)
what do microorganisms do when degrading biopolymers
convert the materials into water, carbon dioxide, biomass and methane
