--%>
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 : Hybridization Atomic orbitals can be

    Atomic orbitals can be combined, in a process called hybridization, to describe the bonding in polyatomic molecules. Descriptions of the bonding in CH4 can be used to illustrate the valence bond procedure. We must arrive a

    		•
  • Q : Base parachloroaniline is strong base

    parachloroaniline is strong base than paranitroaniline

    		•
  • Q : Molecular Structure type The ionic

    The ionic radii of Rb+ and I- respectively are 1.46 Å and 2.16Å. The very most probable type of structure exhibited by it is: (a) CsCl type  (b) ZnS type  (c) Nacl type  (d) CaF2 type

    Q : Molarity 20mol of hcl solution requires

    20mol of hcl solution requires 19.85ml of 0.01 M NAOH solution for complete neutralisation. the molarity of hcl solution

    		•
  • Q : What are Vander Waal's Radii? Vander

    Vander Waal's radii can be assigned to the atoms of molecules on the basis of the closeness of approach of these atoms in crystalline substances. Diffraction studies of crystals give information about hoe molecules can approach each other and can pack

    		•
  • Q : What do you mean by the term Organic

    What do you mean by the term Organic Chemistry? Briefly define the term?

    		•
  • Q : What is depression in freezing point?

    Freezing point of a substance is the temperature at which solid and liquid phases of the substance coexist. It is defined as the temperature at which its solid and liquid phases have the same vapour pressure. The freezing point o

    		•
  • Q : Molarity of Sodium hydroxide Select the

    Select the right answer of the question. Molarity of 4% NaOH solution is : (a) 0.1M (b) 0.5M (c) 0.01M (d) 0.05M

    		•
  • Q : Acid Solutions Choose the right answer

    Choose the right answer from following. Volume of water needed to mix with 10 ml 10N NHO3 to get 0.1 N HNO3: (a) 1000 ml (b) 990 ml (c) 1010 ml (d) 10 ml

    		•
  • Q : Short note on the function of

    Write down a short note on the function of mitochondria?

    		•