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Degradation of a Polycaprolactone/Eggshell Biocomposite in a Bioreactor

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Abstract

The biodegradation process of a polycaprolactone (PCL)/eggshell (ES) biocomposite (50/50 w/w) was studied for 8 weeks, using a bioreactor, which allowed to control: temperature, moisture, soil pH, light and anaerobic condition during composting. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the degradation process occurred mainly on the sample surface, attributable to the microbial attack and the weight loss showed a higher degradation for the PCL/ES samples than for pure PCL. Viscometric tests showed that the viscosity of the PCL phase in the biocomposite decreased more than when PCL was used alone, due to the higher depolymerization in the biocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetric thermal scans showed that the crystallization temperature changed for 8 weeks. In conclusion, it was noted that soil pH, heat and an aerobic environment accelerate the degradation process, while a photo-controlled, anaerobic and moisture-saturated environment delays this process, as compared with the composting system used as control.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Surface Laboratory-Lab E, Electron Microscopy Section, as well as the Polymer Group I-Lab B, both at the Universidad Simón Bolívar, for SEM and DSC analysis, respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, B5IDA Group, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Apartado 89000, Caracas, 1080-A, Venezuela

    M. González Petit, Z. Correa & M. A. Sabino

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  1. M. González Petit
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  2. Z. Correa
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  3. M. A. Sabino
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Correspondence to M. A. Sabino.

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González Petit, M., Correa, Z. & Sabino, M.A. Degradation of a Polycaprolactone/Eggshell Biocomposite in a Bioreactor. J Polym Environ 23, 11–20 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-014-0655-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-014-0655-x

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