Degradation study of polypropylene (PP) and bioriented polypropylene (BOPP) in the environment

AUTOR(ES)

Longo, Carina, Savaris, Michele, Zeni, Mára, Brandalise, Rosmary Nichele, Grisa, Ana Maria Coulon

FONTE

Materials Research

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

01/11/2011

RESUMO

Polymers are vastly employed for numerous purposes in different industrial segments and generate soaring quantities of discarding in the environment. This research analyzed the degradability/biodegradability of polypropylene films (PP) and Bioriented polypropylene (BOPP) polymers after 11 months interred in the São Giácomo landfill in Caxias do Sul. Comparing the buried PP film to a sample of virgin PP, two peaks of degrading activity appeared at the TG curve as well as structure modification typified by occurrence of new absorption bands at FTIR, which can be credited to changes in crystallinity. Thermal analysis carried out on the buried PP and BOPP showed decreases in the percentage of crystallinity due to chain scission. The major reduction was observed in the PP, since its crystallinity is a consequence of polymerization instead of chain orientation processes, as in BOPP. Cracks and erosion of the polymer surface were detected in both PP and BOPP, indicating degrading processes by microorganisms.

Documentos Relacionados

• Desenvolvimento de espumas a partir de misturas poliméricas de polipropileno linear (PP) e polipropileno de alta resistência do fundido (HMSPP)
• Compatibilization and degradation study of Polypropylene/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PP/PHB) blends.
• STUDY OF HMS-PP (HIGH MELT STRENGTH POLYPROPYLENE) BEHAVIOUR UNDER CONDITIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ACCELERATED DEGRADATION
• Estudo da fotooxidação de nanocomposito PP/bentonita
• Microbial degradation of hydrocarbons in the environment.