Name: Biodegradable Polymers (PHBV)
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 3 min 24 s
Description: Biodegradable polymers are a relatively new class of polymers. These polymers decompose into natural by-products when left in the environment. Let us know mo...

Question

What is biodegradable polymer? Give one example.

Accepted Answer

Biodegradable polymers are a special class of polymer that breaks down after its intended purpose by bacterial decomposition process to result in natural by-products such as gases, water, biomass, and inorganic salts.

The materials that are readily decomposed by microorganisms in the environment are called biodegradable. Natural polymers degrade on their own after a certain period of time, but synthetic polymers do not, which lead to serious environmental pollution. One of the solutions to this problem is to produce biodegradable polymers which can be broken down by soil microorganisms.

One example pf biodegradable polymer:- Polyhydroxy butyrate(PHB)

Some other examples: Polyhydroxy butyrate-co-A- hydroxyl valerate (PHBV), Polyglycolic acid (PGA), Polylactic acid (PLA), Poly( $\in$ caprolactone) (PCL).

Biodegradable polymers are used in the medical field such as surgical sutures, plasma substitutes etc. These polymers are decomposed by enzyme action and are either metabolized or excreted from the body.

What is biodegradable polymer? Give one example.

Important Questions on Polymers

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