Advances In Biodegradable Polymers

In this report the factors which influence biodegradation are first explained. Methods of testing and evaluating biodegradation are then described and compared. The principles, relative costs and practical applications of specific tests are outlined together with the position with respect to recognised standards. The range of biodegradable polymers and polymer blends is then described, including natural and synthetic products. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

Interest in biodegradable and absorbable polymers is growing rapidly in large part because of their biomedical implant and drug delivery applications. This text illustrates creative approaches to custom designing unique, fiber-forming materials for equally unique applications. It includes an example of the development and application of a new absor

How Can Polymers Constructed From Living Organisms Help Eliminate the Disposal Issue? A unique category of materials called biodegradable polymers could help remedy a growing environmental concern. Biodegradable Polymeric Nanocomposites: Advances in Biomedical Applications considers the potential of biodegradable polymers for use in biomedical applications that include drug delivery, biosensors, and tissue engineering. Since biomaterials perform on a time-limited function and are designed to disappear from the body after use, the development of biopolymers could greatly reduce and eliminate the need for plastic products, most specifically those used in biomedical applications. Highlights Biomaterials and the Design and Application of Biomaterials Utilizing expert research contributors from around the world, this book considers the benefits and limitations of a variety of biomaterials, such as biopolymers, ceramics, biodegradable nanocomposites, and natural products–based biomaterials. It explores the bio-nano-interface; the interaction between nanoparticles and biomaterials, explains the basic concepts and methods of biodegradable nanocomposites (BNCs), and highlights recent developments in polymer-based bionanocomposites. The book provides an overview of degradation properties and the mechanical properties of biodegradable polymers. It also breaks down the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of starch-based polymers, and outlines distinct advantages (biodegradability and nontoxicity) that make them suitable as medical polymer materials. In addition, it highlights the FDA-approved biodegradable polyester family and focuses on the state-of-the-art recent advancements in drug-delivery devices. Biodegradable Polymeric Nanocomposites: Advances in Biomedical Applications provides current knowledge on biopolymers, examines recent developments and trends, and considers future applications of polymers. Featuring the work of highly-qualified international researchers, this book addresses applications relevant to polymer and material science, as well as material, biomedical, and chemical engineering, and is of specific interest to polymer science engineers.

Salen Metal Complexes as Catalysts for the Synthesis of Polycarbonates from Cyclic Ethers and Carbon Dioxide, by Donald J. Darensbourg.- Material Properties of Poly(Propylene Carbonates), by Gerrit. A. Luinstra and Endres Borchardt.- Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) from Carbon Monoxide, by Robert Reichardt and Bernhard Rieger. - Ecoflex® and Ecovio®: Biodegradable, Performance-Enabling Plastics, by K. O. Siegenthaler, A. Künkel, G. Skupin and M. Yamamoto.- Biodegradability of Poly(Vinyl Acetate) and Related Polymers, by Manfred Amann and Oliver Minge.- Recent Developments in Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactones, by P. Lecomte and C. Jérôme.- Recent Developments in Metal-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactides and Glycolides: Preparation of Polylactides, Polyglycolide, and Poly(lactide-co-glycolide), by Saikat Dutta, Wen-Chou Hung, Bor-Hunn Huang and Chu-Chieh Lin.- Bionolle (Polybutylenesuccinate), by Yasushi Ichikawa, Tatsuya Mizukoshi.- Polyurethanes from Renewable Resources, by David A. Babb.-

A comprehensive overview of biodegradable polymers, covering everything from synthesis, characterization, and degradation mechanisms while also introducing useful applications, such as drug delivery systems and biomaterial-based regenerative therapies. An introductory section deals with such fundamentals as basic chemical reactions during degradation, the complexity of biological environments and experimental methods for monitoring degradation processes. The result is a reliable reference source for those wanting to learn more about this important class of polymer materials, as well as scientists in the field seeking a deeper insight.

Biodegradable plastics made with plant based materials have been available for many years. The term biodegradable means that a substance is able to be broken down into simpler substances by the activities of living organisms, and therefore is unlikely to persist in the environment. There are many different standards used to measure biodegradability, with each country having its own. The requirements range from 90 per cent to 60 per cent decomposition of the product within 60 to 180 days of being placed in a standard composting environment. They may be composed of either bio plastics, which are plastics whose components are derived from renewable raw materials, or petroleum based plastics which contain additives. Biodegradability of plastics is dependent on the chemical structure of the material and on constitution of the final product, not just on the raw materials used for its production. Polyesters play a predominant role as biodegradable plastics due to their potentially hydrolysable ester bonds. Bio based polymers are divided into three categories based on their origin and production; polymer directly extracted from biomass, polymers produced by classical chemical synthesis using renewable biomass monomer and polymers produces by microorganisms or genetically modified bacteria. In response to public concern about the effects of plastics on the environment and in particular the damaging effects of sea litter on animals and birds, legislation is being enacted or is pending in many countries to ban non degradable packing, finishing nets etc. This book basically deals with biodegradable plastics developments and environmental impacts, hydro biodegradable and photo biodegradable, starch synthetic aliphatic polyester blends, difference between standards for biodegradation, polybutylene succinate (pbs) and polybutylene, recent developments in the biopolymer industry, recent advances in synthesis of biopolymers by traditional methodologies, polymers, environmentally degradable synthetic biodegradable polymers as medical devices, polymers produced from classical chemical synthesis from bio based monomers, potential bio based packaging materials, conventional packaging materials, environmental impact of bio based materials: biodegradability and compostability, etc. Environmentally acceptable degradable polymers have been defined as polymers that degrade in the environment by several mechanisms and culminate in complete biodegradation so that no residue remains in the environment. The present book gives thorough information to biodegradable plastic and polymers. This is an excellent book for scientists engineers, students and industrial researchers in the field of bio based materials.

Biodegradable Polymers, Blends and Composites provides a comprehensive review on recent developments in this very important research field. The book's chapters cover the various types of biodegradable polymers currently available and their composites, with discussions on preparation, properties and applications. Sections cover natural rubber-based polymer blends, soy-protein, cellulose, chitin, starch-based, PLA, PHBV, PCL, PVA, PBAT-based blends, Poly (ethylene succinate), PHB and Poly (propylene carbonates). The book will be a valuable reference resource for academic and industrial researchers, technologists and engineers working on recent developments in the area of biodegradable polymers, their blends and composites. Discusses the various types of biodegradable polymers, blends and composites Covers natural rubber, cellulose, chitin, starch, PLA, PCL and PBAT Features modern processing technologies, properties, applications and biodegradability

This book contains a collection of different biodegradation research activities where biological processes take place. The book has two main sections: A) Polymers and Surfactants Biodegradation and B) Biodegradation: Microbial Behaviour.