--%>
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 : Problem on equilibrium constant Ethanol

    Ethanol is manufactured from carbon monoxide and hydrogen at 600 K and 20 bars according to the reaction2 C0(g) + 4 H2(g) ↔ C2H5OH(g) + H2O (g)The feed stream contains 60 mol% H2, 20 m

    		•
  • Q : Problem on molecular weight of solid

    The vapor pressure of pure benzene at a certain temperature is 200 mm Hg. At the same temperature the vapor pressure of a solution containing 2g of non-volatile non-electrolyte solid in 78g of benzene is 195 mm Hg. What is the molecular weight of solid:

  • Q : Units of Measurement Unit of

      Unit of measurement- These are also some systems for units:      (1) 

    		•
  • Q : Raoults law Give me answer of this

    Give me answer of this question. Provide solution of this question. Which one of the following is the expression of Raoult's law: (a) P-P1/P = n/n+N (b) P1-P/P = N/ N+n (c)P-P2/P1= N/ N-n (d) P1-P/P2= N-n/N

    		•
  • Q : What are the various types of drugs

    Drugs are broadly classified into following types depending on the purpose for which they are used. 1. Antipyretics

  • Q : Colligative effect Choose the right

    Choose the right answer from following. Which one of the statements written below concerning properties of solutions, explain a colligative effect: (a) Boiling point of pure water decreases by the addition of ethano (b) Vapour pressure of pure water d

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

    What do you mean by the term medicine dropper? Explain briefly?

    		•
  • Q : Vapour pressure of the pure hydrocarbons

    Give me answer of this question. A solution has a 1 : 4 mole ratio of pentane to hexane. The vapour pressure of the pure hydrocarbons at 20°C are 440 mmHg for pentane and 120 mmHg for hexane. The mole fraction of pentane in the vapour phase would be: (a) 0.549 (b)

    		•
  • Q : Reducible Representations The number of

    The number of times each irreducible representation occurs in a reducible representation can be calculated.Consider the C2v point group as described or Appendix C. you can see that (1) sum of

    		•
  • Q : What is Ideal Mixtures Ideal mixing

    Ideal mixing properties can be recognized in the formation of an ideal gas mixture from ideal gases. Consider the formation of a mixture of gases i.e. a gaseous solution, from two mixtures of pure gases. A useful characterization of an ideal mixture, or soluti

    		•