Study of the influence of accelerated photodegradation in the biodegradation in soil of Ecovio® films

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers are an attractive and essential alternative to minimize the generation of waste polymeric short life and difficult to degradation, which can not be recycled. However, for its application it is essential to know the processes and periods necessary for its biodegradation, as well as to promote modifications in the final material that allow them to present the desired mechanical, thermal and processing properties. These changes, however, often result in increased resistance to biodegradation, which may not be desired in short life applications. In this context, the accelerated degradation of the biopolymer used in these applications becomes an interesting option with reduction of the natural cycle of the degradation process and reduce the presence of these in the environment as undesirable material. Thus, this research project aims at processing via molding thermal compression Ecovio® films, in addition to the investigation of the influence of accelerated photodegradation, using an ultraviolet radiation chamber in the biodegradation in soil, the physical, thermal and morphological properties of these films in question. For this, the biodegradable films will be characterized by measurements of weight loss (%), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (AU)