Abstract
Injection-molded composites were prepared by blending PHBV5 with native cornstarch (30% and 50%) and with cornstarch precoated with PEO as a binding agent. These composites were evaluated for their biodegradability in municipal activated sludge by measuring changes in their physical and chemical properties over a period of 35 days. All composites lost weight, ranging from 45 to 78% within 35 days. Interestingly, the extent and rate of weight loss were quite similar in PHBV composites with no starch, with 30% starch, and with 50% starch. Weight loss was slowest in PHBV blends prepared with PEO-coated starch. For all samples, the weight loss was accompanied by a rapid deterioration in tensile strength and percentage elongation. The deterioration of these mechanical properties exhibited a relative rate of PHBV>starch-PHBV>PEO-coated starch-PHBV. Changes in starch/PHBV composition after biodegradation were quantified by FTIR spectroscopy. Increasing the starch content resulted in more extensive starch degradation, while the PHBV content in the blends became less susceptible to hydrolytic enzymes.
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Imam, S.H., Gordon, S.H., Shogren, R.L. et al. Biodegradation of starch-poly(β-hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) composites in municipal activated sludge. J Environ Polym Degr 3, 205–213 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02068675
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02068675