Acids, Bases, and Salts
Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers
Amines
Analytical Chemistry
Atoms and Molecules
Biomolecules
Carbon and its Compounds
Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
Chemical Compounds
Chemical Kinetics
Chemical Reactions and Equations
Chemistry in Everyday Life
Coal and Petroleum
Electrochemistry
Elements of the Periodic Table
Environmental Chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Materials: Metals and Nonmetals
Named Reactions
Organic Chemistry
Physical and Chemical Changes
Pollution of Air and Water
Polymers
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
States of Matter
Structure of Atom
The d and f Block Elements
The pBlock Elements
The Solid State
Thermodynamics
other topics
Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers
Amines
Analytical Chemistry
Atoms and Molecules
Biomolecules
Carbon and its Compounds
Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
Chemical Compounds
- Potassium Chlorate
- Potassium Bromide
- Potassium Bicarbonate
- Phosphorus Trichloride
- Phosphorus Pentachloride
- Mercuric Chloride
- Bicarbonates
- Benzoic Acid
- Barium Sulfate
- Barium Oxide
- Barium Nitrate
- Barium Bromide
Chemical Kinetics
Chemical Reactions and Equations
Chemistry in Everyday Life
Coal and Petroleum
Electrochemistry
Elements of the Periodic Table
Environmental Chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Materials: Metals and Nonmetals
Named Reactions
- Birch Reduction Mechanism
- Benzoin Condensation
- Benedict’s test
- Beckmann Rearrangement
- Balz Schiemann Reaction Mechanism
Organic Chemistry
Physical and Chemical Changes
Pollution of Air and Water
Polymers
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
States of Matter
Structure of Atom
The d and f Block Elements
The pBlock Elements
The Solid State
Thermodynamics
other topics
Biodegradable and Non Biodegradable Polymers
Introduction
Biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymers are two categories constituted of large molecules. These polymeric substances are those macromolecules formed by the pnkage of smaller repeating units called monomers. Polymers pke cellulose, proteins, nucleic acids, paper, glass, plastic, and rubber are some of its examples. These large molecules and polymers are broken down into simpler molecules under two conditions - naturally or synthetically. Natural change is the biological activity of enzymes, and synthetically undergoing changes are due to adding chemicals to these polymers. The process of degradation or breaking down of large molecules into simpler ones under such conditions is called decomposition. Polymers experience these changes entirely depending on their bonding and structure.
What are Biodegradable Polymers?
These polymers are materials that undergo physical and chemical changes under aerobic and anaerobic conditions when exposed to microorganisms/enzymes. It forms by-products such as carbon dioxide, water, inorganic salts, and biomass. Biodegradable polymers undergo degradation through two processes:
Enzymatic process - In this process, degradation occurs through the enzyme actions of microorganisms pke bacteria, algae, and fungi.
Non-Enzymatic process - In this process, degradation occurs through chemical hydrolysis that decomposes the chain of these polymers.
Therefore, biodegradable polymers are substances that undergo decomposition naturally.
Examples of Biodegradable Polymers
A few examples include-
Poly-$mathrm{eta}$-hydroxybutyrate-co-$mathrm{eta}$-hydroxy valerate (PHBV) - It is a copolymer of 3-hydroxy butanoic acid and 3-hydroxy pentanoic acid, in which an ester group cross-pnks monomers.
Polyglycopc acid (PGA) - It is obtained by chain polymerization of a cycpc dimer of glycopc acid, $mathrm{OH-CH_{2}COOH}$
Polylactic acid (PLA) - Polymerization of the cycpc dimer of lactic acid $mathrm{(OH-CH(CH_{3})COOH)}$ .
Poly ($mathrm{varepsilon }$ -caprolactone) (PCL) - It is obtained by chain polymerization of the lactone of 6-hydroxy hexanoic acid
Nylon-2-Nylon-6 - It is a polyamide copolymerization of glycine $mathrm{(NH_{2}CH_{2}COOH)}$ and aminocaproic acid $mathrm{(H_{2}N-(CH_{2})_{5}-COOH)}$ .
What is Non-Biodegradable Polymer?
These polymers are not degraded or digested by the action of microorganisms. It consists of long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms with stronger interionic bonds between them. They are causing harm to the environment as their abipty to remain intact over the years. Also, these polymers entered our food chains.
Examples Of Non-Biodegradable Polymer
Polypropylene(PP)
Synthetic rubber
Polyvinyl chloride(PVC)
Polyethylene(PE)
Polythene terephthalate(PET)
Polystyrene(PS)
Difference between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Polymers
| S.No | Biodegradation Polymers | Non-Biodegradation Polymers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It decomposes naturally by the action of microorganisms. | It doesn t decompose naturally. |
| 2 | It consists of short chains. It consists of amide, ester, and ether bonds. | It consists of long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms. |
| 3 | These chains are hydrolytically or enzymatically cleaved. | These chains are chemically inert and hence not able to decompose. |
| 4 | These polymer molecules have weak pnkages of bonding. | These polymers have an interionic type of bonding. |
| 5 | A short period of decomposition is required. | A long duration of decomposition is required. |
| 6 | It consists of raw materials and renewable resources. These polymers are environmentally friendly. | It comprises dangerous plastics, aluminium cans and bottles, scrap metal, foam styrol, tires, paints, and various chemicals. These polymers are harmful to the environment. |
What are Biodegradable Polymers made from?
These polymers are present naturally and synthetically, consisting of functional groups pke amide, ester, and ether. It undergoes many reactions for its formationcondensation reaction, ring-opening polymerization, and a metal catalyst.
One of the methods for Synthesizing these Polymers is
The hydrolyzable ester groups react to the polymer chain resulting in a weak ester pnk and making it attacked by enzymes. Such polymers are biodegradable polymers. Also, the properties and breakdown mechanisms are determined by their exact structure.
The mechanism for the formation of biodegradable polymer
Types of Biodegradable Polymers
There are two types of polymers −
Biopolymers and renewable resources − These polymers comprise renewable resources and natural raw materials. These are produced directly by biomass, microorganisms, and bioderived monomers.
| Biomass examples | Microorganism examples | Bio-derived monomers examples |
|---|---|---|
Proteins (Whey protein, wool, casein, silk, and gluten) Polysaccharides (starch, pgnin, and cellulose) |
PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) PHB (Polyhydroxybutyrate) |
PLA(Polylactic acid) |
Petrochemical resources or non-renewable resources − These are produced from non-renewable resources or petrochemical products. A few examples include Poly (caprolactone), Poly(L-lactic acid), Polyglycopc acid, polyorthoesters, and Polyanhydride.
What are Non-Biodegradable Polymers made from?
These polymers consist of long chains of carbons and hydrogen atoms. These polymers have an interatomic type of bonding and are strong enough for microorganisms to break the bonds and digest them and require a long period to decompose them. One commonly used non-biodegradable substance is polythene or plastic due to its low cost, versatipty, and toughness. It is unaffected by the action of microorganisms. Therefore, some chemical reagents are required to decompose these polymers.
Polythene or Poly(ethene) results from the polymerization of monomers pke ethylene or ethene. It undergoes a radical mechanism under high temperature and pressure with organic peroxide radical as an initiator. It is known as an additional polymerization reaction.
Types of Non-Biodegradable Polymers
One large class of non-biodegradable polymers is Polyethylene or Polythene. This polymer has various types contributing to hardness, flexibipty, stiffness, and chemical and moisture resistance. Different types include.
Linear high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)
Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE)
Cross-pnked Polyethylene (PEX)
Branch of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Conclusion
It is required to degrade every material, as it causes waste which is needed to decompose either naturally or synthetically. Processes pke degradation majorly help reduce the waste by action of bacteria/enzymes. Some substances broken down into simpler substances by the action of micro-organisms are called biodegradation and are unable to break down naturally, called non-biodegradable. Most importantly, aluminium cans, plastic bottles, scrap metal, paints, tires, paints, and various chemicals, are needed to decompose as these substances are unaffected by natural processes and cannot be disassembled or degraded after thousands of years. They are highly toxic to the environment and contribute significantly to sopd waste, which is harmful to human health.
FAQs
Q1. What are the three advantages of biodegradable polymers?
Ans. Some advantages include-
It reduces carbon emissions.
It consumes less energy during its manufacture.
It is easy to recycle.
Q2. Given one disadvantage of biodegradable polymers?
Ans. It is cost-effective, as landfills in such a way that it is to be moisture-free and airtight to store potentially dangerous materials, which helps to prevent toxic chemicals from being released from landfills and often slows down biodegradation.
Q3. What are the properties of biodegradable polymers?
Ans. These polymers degrade in the presence of sunpght and radiation. Therefore, it has low melting and degradation temperatures. Elasticity and durabipty are generally low in these polymers. Also, it has low strength and hardness compared with metals and ceramics.
Q4. How do non-biodegradable substances affect the environment?
Ans. These substances accumulate in the environment, do not decompose naturally, and remain in the ecosystem, which in return, causes water and soil pollution.
Qns. 5. What long-term effects does the use of non-biodegradable products have in the end?
Ans. Continuous exposure to synthetic materials in the presence of sunpght, water, and air causes the release of highly toxic pollutants that can enter the water, thus causing water pollution