HIGH POLYMERS

BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS
Biodegradable polymers:
The polymers which undergo degradation when
exposed to moisture heat, oxygen, ozone and
microorganisms etc. are called Biodegradable
polymers.
These external agents lead to the breakdown of
chemical structure and this in turn changes the
properties of polymers.
TYPES OF BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS

Biodegradable plastics are two types. They are

Hydro biodegradable plastics (HBP), which

undergo chemical degradation by hydrolysis and

Oxo-biodegradable plastics (OBP), which undergo

chemical degradation by oxidation.
HBP, OBP on degradation forms the same products;

Generally both are converted into carbondioxide (CO2),

water (H2O) and biomass.

HBP tend to degrade more quickly than OBP.

HBP emits methane in anaerobic degradation conditions,

but OBP does not emit methane.
HBP are naturally occurring biodegradable polymers
mostly from agricultural resources such as corn,
wheat, sugar cane etc. naturally occurring
biodegradable.

HBP are classified into four groups.

1. Polysaccharides E.g.: Starch & Cellulose

2. Proteins E.g.: Gelatin, Silk, Wool.
3. Polyesters
4. Others E.g.: lignin, Shellac, Natural Rubber.
OBP can be made from by products of oil or natural
gases. There are many polymers produced from
petrochemicals or biological sources are synthesized
biodegradable polymers.

Polyalkylene esters, polylactic acid and its co-polymers,

Poly amide esters polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl alcohol,
polyanhydrides are biodegradable synthetic resins.
PROPERTIES:

Biodegradable polymers are non-toxic.

They are able to maintain good mechanical

integrity until degraded.

They are capable of controlling rates of

degradation.
APPLICATIONS:

They are used in sutures. Suture is a medical

device used to hold body tissues together after an
injury or surgery and tissue engineering.
Used in drug delivery systems.
Used to coat a stent and release drugs in a
controlled way.
Used in dental devices and orthopedic fixation
devices.