Project Details:

Studies on Biodegradable Poly(e-caprolactone)

Project No.:421-36-97
Start date:1997-01-01
End date:2002-12-31
Division:Polymer Division
Objective:

Environmental pollution brought about by plastic wastes have become a global problem. One of the solutions to the problem of plastic wastes management includes applications of biodegradable thermoplastics which degrade in soil, sea or lake water, activated sludge, or compost after their service life is over. Poly(+A7U -caprolactone) (PCL) is one of aliphatic polyesters that is a relatively inexpensive synthetic polymer currently available and is truly biodegradable under microbial attack. PCL is a partially crystalline polymer that has a moderately low melting point of 60 degree C. This polymer can be used to prepare a tough and high strength fiber through melt spinning. It presents new unique application potentials as nonwovens of disposable diapers, a compost bag of yard wastes, filter of garbage or sludge, roadside anti-erosion sheet, or fishing lines. Firstly, the relationship between structure and properties of PCL fibers with various draw ratios will be investigated in this study. Next, the environmental degradation behaviour of PCL fibers in soil or in water will be studied. And finally, the effects of morphology on enzymatic degradation of PCL fibers will be discussed in detail.

Description:
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Progress:
Published Reports:

Project completed