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- Title
Degradation and biodegradation of polyethylene with pro-oxidant aditives under compost conditions establishing relationships between physicochemical and rheological parameters.
- Authors
Roé ‐ Sosa, Adriana; Estrada, Mirna R.; Calderas, Fausto; Sánchez-Arévalo, Francisco; Manero, Octavio; Velasquez, María Teresa Orta L.
- Abstract
ABSTRACT In the present work, an analysis is carried out to provide a relationship between the Molecular Weight ( Mw) of degraded LDPE films (containing Mn stearate as pro oxidant (MnSt-LDPE) and changes in viscosity, elongation at break (EB %) and carbonyl index (CI) occurring during thermal degradation in the thermophilic phase of the compost process. The thermal treatment comprised various temperatures (50°C, 60°C, and 70°C) and exposure times, and was characterized through a so-called Energy-Time Factor (the product of thermal energy and exposure time). Changes in viscosity, EB %, and CI were correlated to this factor. A modified Mark-Houwink equation was used to relate the zero shear-rate viscosity and Mw of the degraded LDPE films. Results indicate that the EB %, Mw and viscosity decrease simultaneously with an increase in the CI as the Energy-Time Factor augments, allowing the assessment of the variation of these properties with Mw. Calculations of the percentage abiotic degradation (% D) of LDPE films indicate that a Mw of 6 kg mol−1 corresponds to a maximum abiotic degradation degree of 91.85%, which is henceforth susceptible to biodegradation. The film treated with Energy-Time Factor of 2.79E+09 J s mol−1 reached a 74% of biodegradation in 90 days (average time of the composting process). Results exhibit clearly the correlation between abiotic and biotic degradation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42721.
- Subjects
LOW density polyethylene; BIODEGRADATION; POLYMERS; POLYOLEFINS; POLYMER viscosity; RHEOLOGY; MARK-Houwink equation
- Publication
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2015, Vol 132, Issue 43, pn/a
- ISSN
0021-8995
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/app.42721