Polyolefin degradation
Larissa Stieven Montagna; Ana Paula Testa Pezzin; Maria Madalena Forte; Ruth Marlene Santana
Abstract
In abiotic degradation the action of light radiation is one of the most important parameters, because polymers undergo degradation due to the action of light (natural or artificial). The aim of this study was to investigate the degradation rate for samples of polypropylene (PP) modified with an organic ...
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In abiotic degradation the action of light radiation is one of the most important parameters, because polymers undergo degradation due to the action of light (natural or artificial). The aim of this study was to investigate the degradation rate for samples of polypropylene (PP) modified with an organic pro-degradant submitted to ageing in a natural environment and to accelerated ageing test. The degradation behavior of the samples exposed to the ageing processes was evaluated through changes in the degree of crystallinity (Xc ), surface morphology (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and molecular weight. The results indicated that for the modified polypropylene samples natural ageing led to a 42.3% reduction in the molecular weight and the surface morphology showed evidence of erosion. In the accelerated ageing process the UV radiation was stronger, which led to a 94.3% increase in the degree of crystallinity and micro-voids were present on the surface of the modified polypropylene.
Polyolefin degradation
Larissa Montagna; Andre Luis Catto; Maria Madalena Forte; Ruth Marlene Santana
Abstract
In this study, PP films were modified with an organic pro-degradant in different concentrations (1, 2 and 3 wt.%), exposed in the first step of degradation to natural ageing for 100 days followed by biodegradation in simulated soil in the respirometric test for 100 days. At the end of the combined degradation ...
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In this study, PP films were modified with an organic pro-degradant in different concentrations (1, 2 and 3 wt.%), exposed in the first step of degradation to natural ageing for 100 days followed by biodegradation in simulated soil in the respirometric test for 100 days. At the end of the combined degradation process the PP samples were characterized according to their morphological and physical properties and the CO2 generated during the biodegradation in soil was monitored. The CO2 production by the PP films modified with the organic pro-degradant was proportional to the oxidation rate and weight loss of the samples. The reduction in the average viscosimetric molecular weight could be attributed to chain scission due to the weathering conditions to which the samples were exposed (natural ageing followed by biodegradation in soil). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the PP films revealed surface deterioration of the films with the organic pro-degradant after the combined degradation process.
