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Study of Aliphatic-Aromatic Copolyester Degradation in Sandy Soil and Its Ecotoxicological Impact

Study of Aliphatic-Aromatic Copolyester Degradation in Sandy Soil and Its Ecotoxicological Impact

Piotr Rychter, Michał Kawalec, Michał Sobota, Piotr Kurcok, Marek Kowalczuk

Biomacromolecules. 2010 Apr 12;11(4):839-47.

PMID: 20187658

Abstract:

Degradation of poly[(1,4-butylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-butylene adipate)] (Ecoflex, BTA) monofilaments (rods) in standardized sandy soil was investigated. Changes in the microstructure and chemical composition distribution of the degraded BTA samples were evaluated and changes in the pH and salinity of postdegradation soil, as well as the soil phytotoxicity impact of the degradation products, are reported. A macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the surface of BTA rod samples after specified periods of incubation in standardized soil indicated erosion of the surface of BTA rods starting from the fourth month of their incubation, with almost total disintegration of the incubated BTA material observed after 22 months. However, the weight loss after this period of time was about 50% and only a minor change in the M(w) of the investigated BTA samples was observed, along with a slight increase in the dispersity (from an initial 2.75 up to 4.00 after 22 months of sample incubation). The multidetector SEC and ESI-MS analysis indicated retention of aromatic chain fragments in the low molar mass fraction of the incubated sample. Phytotoxicity studies revealed no visible damage, such as necrosis and chlorosis, or other inhibitory effects, in the following plants: radish, cres, and monocotyledonous oat, indicating that the degradation products of the investigated BTA copolyester are harmless to the tested plants.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP30965265	Poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate)		30965-26-5	Price

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