Overview

Few scientific developments in recent years have captured the popular imagination like the subject of'biodegradable' plastics. The reasons for this are complex and lie deep in the human subconscious. Discarded plastics are an intrusion on the sea shore and in the countryside. The fact that nature's litter abounds in the sea and on land is acceptable because it is biodegradable - even though it may take many years to be bioassimilated into the ecosystem. Plastics litter is not seen to be biodegradable and is aesthetically unacceptable because it does not blend into the natural environment. To the environmentally aware but often scientifically naive, biodegradation is seen to be the ecologically acceptable solution to the problem of plastic packaging waste and litter and some packaging manufacturers have exploited the 'green' consumer with exaggerated claims to 'environmentally friendly' biodegradable packaging materials. The principles underlying environmental degradation are not understood even by some manufacturers of 'biodegradable' materials and the claims made for them have been categorized as 'deceptive' by USA legislative authorities. This has set back the acceptance of plastics with controlled biodegradability as part of the overall waste and litter control strategy. At the opposite end of the commercial spectrum, the polymer manufactur­ ing industries, through their trade associations, have been at pains to discount the role of degradable materials in waste and litter management. This negative campaign has concentrated on the supposed incompatibility of degradable plastics with aspects of waste management strategy, notably materials recycling.

Full Product Details

Author:   G. Scott ,  D. Gilead
Publisher:   Springer
Imprint:   Springer
Edition:   Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1995
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.444kg
ISBN:  

9789401042536

ISBN 10:   9401042535
Pages:   271
Publication Date:   19 September 2012
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction to the abiotic degradation of carbon chain polymers.- Summary.- 1.1 Abiotic polymer degradation: precursor to biodegradation.- 1.2 Environmental oxidation of polymers.- 1.3 Antioxidants and stabilizers.- 1.4 Control of polymer oxidation during processing and use.- References.- 2 An overview of biodegradable polymers and biodegradation of polymers.- Summary.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Biomedical polymers.- 2.3 Biodegradable polymers in polymer waste management.- 2.4 Conclusion.- References.- 3 Techniques and mechanisms of polymer degradation.- Summary.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Inert and degradable polymers.- 3.3 Degradation mechanisms.- 3.4 Analyses and characterization.- References.- 4 Biodegradation of aliphatic polyesters.- Summary.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Biodegradation mechanisms.- 4.3 Biodegradable aliphatic polyesters.- 4.4 Conclusions.- References.- 5 Properties and applications of bacterially derived polyhydroxyalkanoates.- Summary.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Thermal and mechanical properties of PHBV (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate.- 5.3 Physical properties: increasing the sidechain length.- 5.4 Copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 4-hydroxybutyrate (4HB).- 5.5 The crystal structure of PHBV polymers.- 5.6 Thermal stability.- 5.7 Biodegradation.- 5.8 Processing techniques and applications used for the Biopol™ range of polymers.- 5.9 Conclusion.- References.- 6 Starch—polymer composites.- Summary.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Starch-filled plastics.- 6.3 Thermoplastic starch.- 6.4 Starch-based materials on the market.- 6.5 Conclusions.- References.- 7 The science and engineering of polymer composite degradation.- Summary.- 7.1 Degradation mechanisms.- 7.2 The degradation equation.- 7.3 Definitions.- 7.4 Standards for biodegradable plastics.-7.5 Science of biodegradable blends.- 7.6 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 8 Ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymers.- Summary.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Polymerization of E/CO.- 8.3 Analyses for CO content.- 8.4 Physical properties.- 8.5 Fabrication.- 8.6 Degradation mechanisms.- 8.7 Effects of degradation.- 8.8 Products of degradation.- 8.9 Early property loss.- 8.10 Effect of temperature on degradation.- 8.11 Litter simulation.- 8.12 Recycle of E/CO copolymer.- 8.13 Mixtures with other polymers.- 8.14 Potential new applications.- 8.15 Future directions.- References.- 9 Photo-biodegradable plastics.- Summary.- 9.1 The need for degradable polymers.- 9.2 Technical requirements of degradable polymers.- 9.3 Agricultural plastics.- 9.4 Packaging plastics.- 9.5 Control of biodegradation by means of antioxidants.- 9.6 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 10 Photodegradable plastics in agriculture.- Summary.- 10.1 The use of plastics in agriculture.- 10.2 The disposal of mulching films after use.- 10.3 Economic aspects of mulching films.- 10.4 Other applications of photodegradable plastics in agriculture.- References.- 11 The role of degradable polymers in agricultural systems.- Summary.- 11.1 Plasticulture.- 11.2 Photodegradable films.- 11.3 Mid-bed trenching.- 11.4 Nitrogenous fertilizer reduction.- 11.5 Acceleration of crop maturation.- 11.6 Potential crop contamination by heavy metals.- References.- 12 Plastics and the environment.- Summary.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Resource considerations for plastics.- 12.3 Energy and resource analysis.- 12.4 Environmental considerations for packaging materials.- 12.5 Paper versus plastic — an environmental assessment.- 12.6 The role of photodegradable plastics in packaging.- 12.7 Technology of photodegradableplastics.- 12.8 Comparative strategies for litter abatement.- 12.9 Biodegradation studies on photodegraded plastics.- References.- 13 Degradable polymers in waste and litter control.- Summary.- 13.1 The role of plastics in packaging.- 13.2 The biological cycle.- 13.3 The degradation environment.- 13.4 The systems approach to waste management.- 13.5 The compatibility of degradable plastics with other waste management procedures.- 13.6 Conclusions.- References.

Reviews

The structure and presentation are excellent. It is a major contribution to the literature on polymer technology and will undoubtedly be widely read.' Chemistry and Industry It will be of interest to polymer scientists in academia and industry, to environmental scientists, R&D scientists working on packaging, hygiene and agricultural applications, and biomedical scientists working on controlled drug release and prosthetics.' Polymer International

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