Photocatalytic Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanorods on the Decomposition of Plastics

Introduction

First of all, this research aims to determine the degradation rates of the biodegradable

plastics and the non-biodegradable plastic in the environment. It also aims to reduce the plastic

pollution present in many aquatic environments all around the world. With the use of seawater

and Zinc Oxide, a semiconductor, we can see if we can address this severe threat to help save

the environment as a whole.

Plastics that are biodegradable starch-based polymers are already being incorporated by

scientists and it is composed of thermoplastic starch blended with polyester or additives.

(Richardson, 2015). Biodegradable plastics have many kinds. One example is Oxo-

biodegradable plastics. (www.oxo-bio.org). According to a survey conducted by the NRDC

(National Resource Defense Council), plastic accounts for 60-80% of marine litter. So much

plastic is thrown into the sea that marine animals and plants are already at risk, coastlines are

polluted, and the health of the people is at risk.

These days, many stores and establishments are releasing biodegradable plastics as

packaging of their products. Even though they are biodegradable, it will still take a long time

to degrade them completely. This research allows modernization to be used against the harmful

effects of plastics thus, reducing pollution and keeping the, environment, marine inhabitants

and humans safe.

Review of Related Literature

 I. Books

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 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. (NIIR Board of Consultants & Engineers, 2019)

The degradation of plastics begins as soon as the polymer is synthesized, and is increased

by residual stresses left by molding processes. There are two types of plastic degradation:

physical and chemical, and both are closely inter-connected. Physical degradation can involve

environmental stress cracking and plasticizer migration and loss. Chemical reactions include

oxidation and hydrolysis, and is a problem affecting the cellulose, which emit acidic

degradation products. (Villacorta, 2014)

In the past decades, a great deal of attention has been focused on evaluating the various

methods for the biodegrading of polymers. It is because of the mineral ascended from the

Earth's crust and mixed with the seawater like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, silica and

iron that enables seawater to degrade polymers. (Trishul et al, 2016)

II. Scientific Journals

Marine plastic litter is a global concern. Carrier bags manufactured from non-

biodegradable polymers constitute a large component of this litter. (Balestri et al, 2017)
Science of The Total Environment. Biodegradable plastic bags on the seafloor, 605-606, 755-

763. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.249

Plastic waste component of the urban solid waste is quite problematic. As it is non-

biodegradable, it can stay in the environment for a longer time causing severe environmental

degradation. (Rajkumar, 2015) A Study on the Plastic Waste and Environmental Degradation.

ABC Journal of Advanced Research, 4, 9-15. Retrieved from 10.15590/abcjar

Plastic degradation has led to the emergence of biodegradable plastics and biological

degradation with microbial extracellular enzymes and the microbes utilize biodegradable

polymers. (Aliev, 2017) Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. Microbial Enzymatic

Degradation of Biodegradable Plastics, 18 (5), 449- 440. Retrieved from

https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201018666170523165742

Nano sized semiconductor photocatalysts and the photocatalytic decomposition of

industrial wastewater produces negligible amount of solid by products. (Sudha and Sivakumar,

2015) Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification. Review on the

photocatalytic activity of various composite catalysts, 97, 112-133. Retrieved from

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2015.08.006

III. Internet Sources

Biodegradable plastics came from renewable sources. Chemical companies nowadays

are now utilizing annual plants and modern technology to produce these types of plastics. For

some time, agricultural materials have been considered as an alternate feedstock and source of

energy for plastic production (www.plastemart.com).

 Many shopping bags are polyethylene or non-biodegradable but scientists had

developed biodegradable shopping bags that are composed of starch derived from corn, potato,

or wheat blended with polyester (polylactic acid). Traditional polymers made from petroleum-

based materials are slowly being replaced by plastics produced from renewable sources such

as corn in some food and grocery applications (www.axom.com).

Scientists incorporate starch molecules into some plastics resins during manufacturing

process. These plastics are biodegradable starch-based polymers. The starch makes these kinds

of plastics biodegradable because bacteria and fungi use starch as carbon source

(www.tradevv.com).

That's why this team of scientists is testing a system of filters coated in a material made

up of nano-sized semiconductors that initiate and speed up this natural process. The

microplastic - which is first filtered out of the waste water - then comes into contact with the

semiconductor and under the influence of ultraviolet light and oxygen, is broken down into

harmless CO2 and water via photocatalysis. (en.reset.org)