Influence of Short Central PEO Segment on Hydrolytic and Enzymatic Degradation of Triblock PCL Copolymers
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2018
Authors
Ponjavic, Marijana
Nikolic, Marija S.

Jeremić, Sanja

Đokić, Lidija

Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina

Ćosović, Vladan
Đonlagić, Jasna

Article (Published version)

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Show full item recordAbstract
Hydrolytic, enzymatic degradation and composting under controlled conditions of series of triblock PCL/PEO copolymers, PCEC, with central short PEO block (M (n) 400 g/mol) are presented and compared with homopolymer (PCL). The PCEC copolymers, synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone, were characterized by H-1 NMR, quantitative C-13 NMR, GPC, DSC and WAXS. The introduction of the PEO central segment ( LT 2 wt%) in PCL chains significantly affected thermal degradation and crystallization behavior, while the hydrophobicity was slightly reduced as confirmed by water absorption and moisture uptake experiments. Hydrolytic degradation studies in phosphate buffer after 8 weeks indicated a small weight loss, while FTIR analysis detected changes in crystallinity indexes and GPC measurements revealed bulk degradation. Enzymatic degradation tested by cell-free extracts containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 confirmed high enzyme activity throughout the surface causing ...morphological changes detected by optical microscopy and AFM analysis. The changes in roughness of polymer films revealed surface erosion mechanism of enzymatic degradation. Copolymer with the highest content of PEO segment and the lowest molecular weight showed better degradation ability compared to PCL and other copolymers. Furthermore, composting of polymer films in a model compost system at 37 A degrees C resulted in significant degradation of the all synthesized block copolymers.
Keywords:
PCL / Triblock copolymers / AFM analysis / Hydrolytic degradation / Enzymatic degradation / CompostingSource:
Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 2018, 26, 6, 2346-2359Publisher:
- Springer/Plenum Publishers, New York
Projects:
- Synthesis and characterization of novel functional polymers and polymeric nanocomposites (RS-172062)
- Microbial diversity study and characterization of beneficial environmental microorganisms (RS-173048)
DOI: 10.1007/s10924-017-1130-2
ISSN: 1566-2543