BRAINCAKEBiodegradable Polymers
A biodegradable polymer is one that can be broken down by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) into simple substances such as carbon dioxide and water.
Most addition polymers are not biodegradable because their chains contain only strong, non-polar C-C and C-H bonds. Biodegradable polymers instead contain polar bonds in the chain, such as ester links, which can be hydrolysed by water and enzymes.
Examples:
• poly(lactic acid), PLA, made from lactic acid obtained from corn starch; used for food packaging, cups and disposable cutlery
• starch-based plastics, used for carrier bags and packing materials
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Key terms in this lesson
- ester
- An organic compound containing the -COO- group, formed for example from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.
- hydrolysis
- The breaking of a chemical bond by reaction with water.
More in Alkenes
- Electrophilic Addition of Hydrogen Halides
- Unsymmetrical Molecules
- Addition Polymerisation
- Identifying the Monomer
- Identifying the Repeating Group
- Polymer Waste
- Recycling
- Incineration
All 19 lessons in Alkenes · All Edexcel AS-level Chemistry topics