--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

What are biodegradable polymers? Present some examples.

 

These are polymers that can be broken into small segments by enzyme-catalysed reactions. The required enzymes are produced by microorganism. It is a known fact that the carbon-carbon bonds of chain growth polymers are inert to enzyme-catalysed reactions, and hence they are non biodegradable. To make such polymers biodegradable we have to insert certain bonds in the chains so that these can be easily broken by the enzymes. Now when such polymers are buried as waste, microorganisms present in the ground can degrade the polymer.

One of the most excellent methods of making a polymer biodegradable is by introducing hydrolysable ester group into the polymer.

For example if acetal is added to an alkene undergoing radical polymerisation, ester group will be inserted into the polymer.

The weak links in the polymer are susceptible to enzyme catalysed hydrolysis.

Aliphatic polyesters are one of the significant categories of biodegradable polymers. Some other examples of biodegradable polymers are described below:

(i) PHBV (Poly-hydroxybutrate-co- 856_Biodegradable1.png-hydroxy valerate):  it is a copolymer of 3-hydroxy butyric acid and 3-hydroxypentanoic acid.
378_Biodegradable.png 


PHBV is used in orthopaedic devices and controlled drug release. The drug put in PHBV capsule is released after this polymer is degraded by enzymatic action. It can also be degraded by bacterial action.

(ii) Poly glycolic acid and poly lactic acid: these are also biodegradable polymers and are used for post operative stitches. These are bioabsorbable structures.

(iii) Nylon-2-Nylon: it is an alternating polyamide copolymer of glycine2233_Biodegradable3.png  and amino caproic acid1005_Biodegradable4.png and is biodegradable.

907_Biodegradable2.png

 

 

 

 

 

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Vapour pressure related question Help

    Help me to solve this question. Which of the following is incorrect: (a) Relative lowering of vapour pressure is independent (b)The vapour pressure is a colligative property (c)Vapour pressure of a solution is lower than the vapour pressure of the solvent (d)The

    		•
  • Q : Problem on melting of ice A) It has

    A) It has been suggested that the surface melting of ice plays a role in enabling speed skaters to achieve peak performance. Carry out the following calculation to test this hypothesis. Suppose that the width of the skate in contact with the ice has been reduced by sh

    		•
  • Q : What is laser and explain its working?

    Laser action relies on a non-Boltzmann population inversion formed by the absorption of radiation and vibrational deactivation that forms a long lived excited electronic state. An excited state molecule can move to a lower energy state or return to the

    		•
  • Q : Question associated to vapour pressure

    Choose the right answer from following. The vapour pressure lowering caused by the addition of 100 g of sucrose(molecular mass = 342) to 1000 g of water if the vapour pressure of pure water at 25degree C is 23.8 mm Hg: (a)1.25 mm Hg (b) 0.125 mm Hg (c) 1.15 mm H

    		•
  • Q : Microwave Adsorption The absorption of

    The absorption of microwave radiation increases the rotational energy of molecules and gives information about the moment of inertia of the molecules.Now we can begin the study of the spectroscopy that explores the different ways in which the energy of the

    		•
  • Q : Dipole moment direction for the methanol

    Briefly describe the dipole moment direction for the methanol?

    		•
  • Q : Calculate molarity of a solution

    Provide solution of this question. Molarity of a solution prepared by dissolving 75.5 g of pure KOH in 540 ml solution is: (a) 3.05 M (b) 1.35 M (c) 2.50 M (d) 4.50 M

    		•
  • Q : P- block why pentahalids are more

    why pentahalids are more covalent than tetrahalids

    		•
  • Q : Diffusion Molecular View When the

    When the diffusion process is treated as the movement of particles through a solvent the diffusion coefficient can be related to the effective size of diffusing particles and the viscosity of the medium.To see how the experimental coefficients can be treat

    		•
  • Q : Molarity what is the molarity of the

    what is the molarity of the solution prepared by dissolving 75.5 g of pure KOH in 540 ml of solution

    		•