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Related Concept Videos

Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics01:28

Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer widely utilized in the packaging industry, particularly for bottles and containers. Due to its chemical stability and durability, PET accumulates in the environment, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. It comprises repeating units of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, resulting in a semi-crystalline structure that is resistant to natural degradation processes.A notable breakthrough in plastic biodegradation came with the...
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

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Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
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Bioplastics

Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
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Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...

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Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry
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Surface modification changes the degradation process and degradation product pattern of polylactide.

Anders Höglund1, Minna Hakkarainen, Ulrica Edlund

  • 1Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), S-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 30, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Surface modification significantly accelerates the degradation of polylactide (PLA), altering its degradation products. Grafted PLA releases soluble compounds much faster than unmodified PLA.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer science
  • Materials science
  • Biomaterials engineering

Background:

  • The degradation behavior of polymers is crucial for their application, especially in biomedical fields.
  • Surface modification's impact on polymer degradation is largely unstudied, despite potential significance.
  • Polylactide (PLA) is a widely used biodegradable polymer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of surface modification on the hydrolytic degradation of polylactide (PLA).
  • To analyze the patterns of water-soluble degradation products in modified and unmodified PLA.
  • To compare the degradation rates and product profiles of PLA grafted with acrylic acid (PLA-AA) versus pristine PLA.

Main Methods:

  • Hydrolytic degradation of PLA and PLA-AA at 37°C.
  • Analysis of water-soluble degradation products using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS).
  • Time-course monitoring of degradation product release and identification.

Main Results:

  • Surface-grafted PLA (PLA-AA) released low molar mass compounds within 7 days, while unmodified PLA took 133 days.
  • PLA-AA exhibited varied degradation product patterns over time, including short and long AA-grafted lactic acid oligomers.
  • Unmodified PLA degraded into lactic acid and oligomers up to 13 units, with a slower release rate.

Conclusions:

  • Surface grafting significantly accelerates the formation of water-soluble degradation products in PLA.
  • Surface modification alters the chemical nature and release kinetics of degradation products.
  • This study highlights the critical role of surface chemistry in controlling biodegradable polymer degradation.