Abstract
The environmental degradation of polyethylene proceeds by synergistic action of photo- and thermo-oxidative degradation and biological activity. Since biodegradation of commercial high molecular weight polyethylene proceeds slowly, abiotic oxidation is the initial and rate-determining step. Enhanced environmentally degradable polyethylene is prepared by blending with biodegradable additives or photo-initiators or by copolymerisation. One of the key questions for successful development and use of environmentally degradable polymers is to understand the interaction between degradation products and nature. Polymer fragments and degradation products should be environmentally assimilable and should not accumulate or negatively affect the environment. Determination of abiotic and biotic oxidation products is an important step towards establishing the environmental degradation mechanism and environmental impact of the material. More than 200 different degradation products including alkanes, alkenes, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, carboxylic acid, keto-acids, dicarboxylic acids, lactones and esters have been identified in thermo- and photo-oxidised polyethylene. In biotic environment these abiotic oxidation products and oxidised low molecular weight polymer can be assimilated by microorganisms. In future we will probably see a development of new polyethylenes with tailor-made structures specially designed for environmental degradation through different pathways. Paralleled with the development of these new materials we need to obtain better understanding of the environmental impact of degradable polymers and the interactions between nature and degradation products in a dynamic system.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Abbreviations
- BHT :
-
Butylated hydroxy toluene
- E/CO :
-
Ethylene-carbon monoxide
- FTIR :
-
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
- HDPE :
-
High density polyethylene
- LDPE :
-
Low density polyethylene
- LDPE-MB :
-
Polyethylene modified with masterbatch
- LDPE-PO :
-
Polyethylene modified with pro-oxidants
- LDPE-starch :
-
Polyethylene modified with starch
- Mn :
-
Number average molecular weight
- Mw :
-
Weight average molecular weight
- NMR :
-
Nuclear magnetic resonance
- PP :
-
Polypropylene
- PS :
-
Polystyrene
- PVA :
-
Polyvinyl alcohol
- PVC :
-
Polyvinyl chloride
- SBS :
-
Styrene-butadiene copolymer
- SEM :
-
Scanning electron microscopy
- UF :
-
Urea formaldehyde resin
- UV :
-
Ultraviolet light
- XRF :
-
X-ray fluorescence
References
Scott G (1999) Macromol Symp 144:113
Wasserbauer R, Beranová M, Vancurová D, Dolezcl (1990) Biomaterials 11:36
Heskins M, Guillet JE (1968) Macromolecules 1:97
Harlan G, Kmiec C (1995) Ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymers. In: Scott G, Gilead D (eds) Degradable polymers: principles and applications. Chapman & Hall, London, chap 8
Guillet JE (1973) US Patent 3 753 952
Guillet JE (1973) Polymers with controlled life times. In: Guillet JE (ed) Polymers and ecological problems. Plenum, New York, p 1
Guillet JE (1974) US Patent 3 811 931
Amin MU, Scott G (1974) Eur Polym J 10:1019
Scott G (1973) Delayed action photo-activator for the degradation of packaging polymers. In: Guillet JE (ed) Polymers and ecological problems. Plenum, New York, p 27
Scott G (1975) Polym Age 6:54
Scott G (1972) British Patent 1 436 553
Scott G (1978) US Patent 4 121 025
Gilead D, Scott G (1978) British Patent 1 586 344
Al-Malaika S, Marogi AM, Scott G (1986) J Appl Polym Sci 31:685
Griffin GJL (1974) British Patent 55195/73
Griffin GJL (1974) Biodegradable fillers in thermoplastics. Adv Chem Ser 134:159
Griffin GJL (1988) Int Patent WO 88/9354
Otey FH, Mark AM, Mehltretter CL, Russell CR (1974) Ind Eng Chem Prod Res Dev 13:90
Otey FH, Westhoff RP, Doane WM (1980) Ind Eng Chem Prod Res Dev 19:592
Moad G (1999) Prog Polym Sci 24:81
Yoo Y-D, Kim Y-W, Cho W-Y (1995) US Patent 5 461 094
Tudorachi N, Rusu M, Cascaval CN, Constantin L, Rugina V (2000) Cellulose Chem Technol 34:101
Mikulasova M, Kosiková B, Alexy P, Kacik F, Urgelová E (2001) World J Microbiol Biotechnol 17:601
Tilstra L, Johnsonbaugh D (1993) J Environ Polym Degrad 1:257
Kim J, Kim JH, Shin TK, Choi HJ, Jhon MS (2001) Eur Polym J 37:2131
Labuzek S, Pajak J, Nowak B, Majdiuk E, Karcz J (2002) Polimery 47:256
Bailey WJ, Gapud B (1985) Synthesis of biodegradable polyethylene. In: Klemchuk PP (ed) Polymer degradation and stabilization (ACS symposium series 280). ACS, Washington DC, p 423
Bailey WJ, Kuruganti VK (1990) Polym Mater Sci Eng 62:971
Austin RG (1994) US Patent 5 281 681
Austin RG (1994) US Patent 5 334 700
Holmström A, Sörvik E (1974) J Appl Polym Sci 18:3153
Hoff A, Jacobsson S (1981) J Appl Polym Sci 26:3409
Madsen J, Olsen NB, Atlung G (1985) Polym Degrad Stab 12:131
Bravo A, Hotchkiss JH, Acree TE (1992) J Agric Food Chem 40:1881
Andersson T, Wesslén B, Sandström J (2002) J Appl Polym Sci 86:1580
Billingham NC, Calvert PD (1982) In: Scott G (ed) Developments in polymer stabilisation -5. Applied Science, London, chap 5
Hakkarainen M, Albertsson A-C, Karlsson S (1996) J Chromatogr A 741:251
Hakkarainen M, Albertsson A-C, Karlsson S (1997) J Appl Polym Sci 66:959
van Sickle DE, Mill T, Mayo FR, Richardsson H, Gould CW (1973) J Org Chem 38:4435
Hendry DG, Gould CW, Schuetzle D, Syz MG, Mayo FR (1976) J Org Chem 41:1
Chien JCW (1968) J Polym Sci Part A-1 6:375
Iring M, Kelen T, Tüdös F (1974) Makromol Chem 175:467
Iring M, Kelen T, Tüdös F, Laszlo-Hedvig Zs (1976) J Polym Sci Symp 57:89
Gugumus F (1995) Polym Degrad Stab 49:29
Holmström A, Sörvik E (1978) J Polym Sci Polym Chem 16:2555
Gugumus F (1990) Angew Makromol Chem 182:111
Iring M, Tüdös F (1990) Prog Polym Sci 15:217
Tidjani A, Watanabe Y (1995) Polym Degrad Stab 49:299
Scott G (1995) Introduction to the abiotic degradation of carbon chain polymers. In: Scott G, Gilead D (eds) Degradable polymers: principles and applications. Chapman & Hall, London, chap 1
Carlsson DJ, Brousseau R, Zhang C, Wiles DM (1987) Polym Degrad Stab 17:303
Lacoste J, Carlsson DJ, Falicki S, Wiles DM (1991) Polym Degrad Stab 34:309
Albertsson A-C, Barenstedt C, Karlsson S (1992) Polym Degrad Stab 37:163
Sung W, Nikolov ZL (1992) Ind Eng Chem Res 31:1332
Breslin VT (1993) J Environ Polym Degrad 1:127
Johnson KE, Pometto III AL, Nikolov ZL (1993) Appl Environ Microbiol 59:1155
Weiland M, David C (1994) Polym Degrad Stab 45:371
Potts JE, Clendinning RA, Ackart WB, Niegisch WD (1973) The biodegradability of synthetic polymers. In: Guillet JE (ed) Polymers and ecological problems. Plenum, New York, p 61
Potts JE (1978) Biodegradation. In: Jellinek HHG (ed) Aspects of degradation and stabilization of polymers. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 617
Haines JR, Alexander M (1974) Appl Microbiol 28:1084
Albertsson A-C (1978) J Appl Polym Sci 22:3419
Albertsson A-C, RÃ¥nby B (1979) IUPAC International symposium on long-term properties of polymer materials. Stockholm, Sweden. Appl Polym Symp 35:423
Albertsson A-C, Banhidi ZG, Beyer-Ericsson LL (1978) J Appl Polym Sci 22:3434
Albertsson A-C, Banhidi ZG (1980) J Appl Polym Sci 25:1655
Albertsson A-C (1980) Eur Polym J 16:623
Albertsson A-C, Karlsson S (1988) J Appl Polym Sci 35:1289
Albertsson A-C (1989) The synergism between biodegradation of polyethylenes and environmental factors. In: Patsis A (ed) Advances in stabilization and degradation of polymers. Technomic, Lancaster, p 115
Karlsson S, Ljungqvist O, Albertsson A-C (1988) Polym Degrad Stab 21:237
Albertsson A-C (1977) Studies on mineralization of14C labelled polyethylenes in aerobic biodegradation and aqueous aging. PhD Thesis, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
Albertsson A-C, Andersson SO, Karlsson S (1987) Polym Degrad Stab 18:73
Weiland M, David C (1995) Polym Degrad Stab 48:275
Albertsson A-C, Erlandsson B, Hakkarainen M, Karlsson S (1998) J Environ Polym Degrad 6:187
Volke-Sepúlveda T, Favela-Torres E, Manzur-Guzmán A, Limón-González M, Trejo-Quintero G (1999) J Appl Polym Sci 73:1435
Erlandsson B, Albertsson A-C, Karlsson S (1998) Acta Polym 49:363
Pometto AL, Johnson KE, Kim M (1993) J Environ Polym Degrad 1:213
Griffin GJL (1976) J Polym Sci Symp 57:281
Chiellini E, Cioni F, Solaro R, Vallini G, Corti A, Pera A (1993) J Environ Polym Degrad 1:167
Vallini G, Corti A, Pera A, Solaro R, Cioni F, Chiellini E (1994) J Gen Appl Microbiol 40:445
Gilmore DF, Antoun S, Lenz RW, Goodwin S, Austin R, Fuller RC (1992) J Ind Microbiol 10:199
Goheen SM, Wool RP (1991) J Appl Polym Sci 42:2691
Greizerstein HB, Syracuse JA, Kostyniak PJ (1993) Polym Degrad Stab 39:251
David C, Trojan M, Daro A, Demarteau W (1992) Polym Degrad Stab 37:233
Andrady AL, Pegram JE, Song Y (1993) J Environ Polym Degrad 1:117
Tidjani A, Arnaud R (1993) Polym Degrad Stab 39:285
Hamid SH, Amin MB (1995) J Appl Polym Sci 55:1385
Breslin VT, Swanson RL (1993) J Air Waste Manage Assoc 43:325
Leonas KK, Gorden RW (1993) J Environ Polym Degrad 1:45
Gonsalves KE, Patel SH, Chen X (1991) J Appl Polym Sci 43:405
Breslin VT, Li BE (1993) J Appl Polym Sci 48:2063
Arnaud P, Dabin P, Lemaire J, Al-Malaika S, Chohan S, Coker M, Scott G, Fauve A, Maaroufi A (1994) Polym Degrad Stab 46:211
Yamada-Onodera K, Mukumoto H, Katsuyaya Y, Saiganji A, Tani Y (2001) Polym Degrad Stab 72:323
Spencer LM, Heskins M, Guillet JE (1976) Studies on the biodegradability of photodegraded polymers: identification of bacterial types. In: Sharpley JM, Kaplan AM (eds) Proc 3rd Int Biodegrad Symp. Applied Science, London, p 753
Jones PH, Prasad D, Heskins N, Morgan NH, Guillet JE (1974) Environ Sci Technol 8:919
Otake Y, Kobayashi T, Asabe H, Murakami N, Ono K (1995) J Appl Polym Sci 56:1789
Otake Y, Kobayashi T, Asabe H, Murakami N, Ono K (1998) J Appl Polym Sci 70:1643
Karlsson S, Hakkarainen M, Albertsson A-C (1997) Macromolecules 30:7721
Hakkarainen M, Albertsson A-C, Karlsson S (1997) J Environ Polym Degrad 5:67
Khabbaz F, Albertsson A-C, Karlsson S (1998) Polym Degrad Stab 61:329
Khabbaz F, Albertsson A-C, Karlsson S (1999) Polym Degrad Stab 63:127
Khabbaz F, Albertsson A-C (2000) Biomacromolecules 1:665
Iring M, Tüdös F, Fodor ZS, Kelen T (1980) Polym Degrad Stab 2:143
Tüdös F, Iring M (1998) Acta Polym 39:19
Geuskens G, Kabamba MS (1983) Polym Degrad Stab 5:399
Adams JH (1970) J Polym Sci A-1 8:1077
Lacoste J, Carlsson DJ, Falicki S, Wiles DM (1991) Polym Degrad Stab 34:309
Lacoste J, Arnaud R, Singh P, Lemaire J (1988) Makromol Chem 189:651
Albertsson A-C, Barenstedt C, Karlsson S (1994) Acta Polym 45:97
Albertsson A-C, Barenstedt C, Karlsson S (1995) J Chromatogr A 690:207
Eggins HOW, Mills J, Holt A, Scott G (1971) Biodeterioration and biodegradation of synthetic polymers. In: Sykes G, Skinner FA (eds) Microbial aspects of pollution. Academic Press, London, p 267
Mills J, Eggins HOW (1970) Int Biodetn Bull 6:13
Cornell JH, Kaplan AM, Rogers MR (1984) J Appl Polym Sci 29:2581
Albertsson A-C, Barenstedt C, Karlsson S, Lindberg T (1995) Polymer 36:3075
Schlegel HG (1979) Allgemeine Mikrobiologie. Georg Thieme, Stuttgart
Pagga U (1999) Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 51:125
Gilead D (1995) The disposal of mulching films after use. In: Scott G, Gilead D (eds) Degradable polymers: principles and applications. Chapman & Hall, London, chap 10
Scott G (1999) Polymers and the environment. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, chap 5
Fabbri A (1995) The role of degradable polymers in agricultural systems. In: Scott G, Gilead D (eds) Degradable polymers: principles and applications. Chapman & Hall, London, chap 11
Lee J-A, Kim M-N (2001) J Polym Environ 9:91
Tuominen J, Kylmä J, Kapanen A, Venelampi O, Itävaara M, Seppälä J (2002) Biomacromolecules 3:445
Kinnersley AM, Scott III TC, Yopp JH, Whitten GH (1990) Plant Growth Regul 9:137
Scott G (2000) Polym Degrad Stab 68:1
Scott G, Wiles DM (2001) Biomacromolecules 2:615
Hakkarainen M, Albertsson A-C, Karlsson S (2000) Polymer 41:2331
Hakkarainen M, Albertsson A-C (2002) Macromol Chem Phys 203:1357
Acknowledgements
Prof. G. Scott is thanked for his comments on the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Rights and permissions
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hakkarainen, M., Albertsson, AC. Environmental Degradation of Polyethylene. In: Albertsson, AC. (eds) Long Term Properties of Polyolefins. Advances in Polymer Science, vol 169. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/b13523
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/b13523
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-40769-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-45196-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive