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Related Concept Videos

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

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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...
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Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

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Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
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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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Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

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Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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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...
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Impact of Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and Sm<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> doping on the radiation shielding properties of lead-borate glasses.

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Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
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Biodegradable Polymers and their Applications: A Review.

Venkatesh K Bhovi1, Sulochana P Melinmath1, Ranjith Gowda1

  • 1P.G. Studies and Research in Chemistry, Vijayanagar College, Hosapete, Vijayanagar, Karnataka 583201, India.

Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
|January 28, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Biodegradable polymers offer sustainable solutions with diverse applications in medicine, industry, and agriculture. This study explores their benefits, challenges, and limitations for broader adoption.

Keywords:
Biodegradable polymersagriculturebiomedical applicationsnatural polymerspackaging applicationssynthetic polymertechnologicals applications

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Polymers possess remarkable flexibility and modifiability, enabling integration with organic and inorganic compounds.
  • A competitive landscape exists between natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers regarding biodegradability and technological compatibility.
  • Biodegradable polymers are crucial for environmental sustainability, minimizing hazardous waste.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diverse applications of biodegradable polymers.
  • To identify and analyze the challenges associated with biodegradable polymer utilization.
  • To examine the limitations hindering the widespread adoption of biodegradable polymers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of biodegradable polymer applications.
  • Analysis of biodegradability and compatibility data.
  • Synthesis of information on challenges and limitations.

Main Results:

  • Biodegradable polymers are vital in biomedicine (tissue engineering, scaffolds, drug delivery), industry, agriculture, and food packaging.
  • Key challenges include cost-effective production, controlled degradation rates, and scalability.
  • Limitations involve performance variability, long-term stability concerns, and regulatory hurdles.

Conclusions:

  • Biodegradable polymers present significant advantages for sustainable development and technological advancement.
  • Addressing challenges in production, performance, and regulation is essential for maximizing their potential.
  • Further research is needed to overcome limitations and expand their application scope.