Publication detail

Biodegradation of polyether polyol based polyurethane elastomeric films influence of partial replacement of polyether polyol by biopolymers of renewable origin

OBRUČA, S. MÁROVÁ, I. VOJTOVÁ, L.

Original Title

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

In this work we investigated the degradation process of polyether polyol based polyurethane (PUR) elastomeric films in the presence of a mixed thermophilic culture as a model of a natural bacterial consortium. The presence of PUR material in cultivation medium resulted in delayed but intensive growth of the bacterial culture. The unusually long lag phase was caused by the release of unreacted polyether polyol and tin catalyst from the material. The lag phase was significantly shortened and the biodegradability of PUR materials was enhanced by partial replacement (10%) of polyether polyol with biopolymers (carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, acetyl cellulose and actylated starch). The process of material degradation consisted of two steps. First, the materials were mechanically disrupted and, second, the bacterial culture was able to utilize abiotic degradation products, which resulted in supported bacterial growth. Direct utilization of PUR by the bacterial culture was observed as well, but the bacterial culture contributed only slightly to the total mass losses. The only exception was PUR material modified by acetyl cellulose. In this case, direct biodegradation represented the major mechanism of material decomposition. Moreover, PUR material modified by acetyl cellulose did not tend to undergo abiotic degradation. In conclusion, the modification of PUR by proper biopolymers is a promising strategy for reducing potential negative effects of waste PUR materials on the environment and enhancing their biodegradability.

Keywords

Biodegradation, polyurethanes, biopolymers

Authors

OBRUČA, S.; MÁROVÁ, I.; VOJTOVÁ, L.

RIV year

2011

Released

17. 7. 2011

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Location

Londýn

ISBN

0959-3330

Periodical

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY

Year of study

Number

State

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Pages from

1043

Pages to

1052

Pages count

URL

https://iahr.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09593330.2010.523903#.XsaNM2gzZaQ

BibTex

@article{BUT72576,
  author="Stanislav {Obruča} and Ivana {Márová} and Lucy {Vojtová}",
  title="Biodegradation of polyether polyol based polyurethane elastomeric films influence of partial replacement of polyether polyol by biopolymers of renewable origin",
  journal="ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY",
  year="2011",
  volume="31",
  number="9",
  pages="1043--1052",
  doi="10.1080/09593330.2010.523903",
  issn="0959-3330",
  url="https://iahr.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09593330.2010.523903#.XsaNM2gzZaQ"
}