Comparison of Biodegradability of Modified Polyurethane Foams and Polyurethane Elastomeric Films

journal article - other

English

Biodegradation of polymeric materials is important process which affects a wide range of industries. Polymer biodegradability depends on many factors as molecular weight, crystallinity or physical forms. Biodegradability of several modified polyurethanes (PUR) foams and films was tested using mixed thermophillic bacterial culture Thermophillus sp. Films and foams were modified by biopolymer component (10 % of acetyl-, hydroxyethyl- and carboxymethyl cellulose, 10% activated starch). Both films and foams supported the growth of culture in comparison with culture without PUR. Unusual long lasting lag-phase was observed when culture was cultivated in presence of PUR films. This effect was probably caused by formation of some toxic components which inhibited the start of growth. Mass decreases of foams and films were very similar, but mechanism of biodegradation is probably different. Mainly abiotic factors are involved in biodegradation of PUR foams. Products of abiotic degradation are consequently utilized by bacterial culture. Abiotic factors play important role during biodegradation of PUR films too, but, surprisingly, films which are expected to be more rigid, were more susceptible to biotic degradation. Measure of biotic degradation positively corresponded with the growth of culture. This is probably caused by different incorporation of modifying agents into structure of film in comparison with foams.

biodegradation, polyurethane, foam, film

OBRUČA, S.; MÁROVÁ, I.; PIECHOVÁ, J.; VOJTOVÁ, L.; NOVOTNÝ, M.; DAVID, J.

2008

9. 9. 2008

CSCH

Brno

1213-7103

Chemické listy

102

15

Czech Republic

1257

1258

2