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Rapid biodegradation of renewable polyurethane foams with identification of associated microorganisms and decomposition products
Summary
Researchers formulated biodegradable polyurethane foams from algae-derived polyols that meet commercial footwear standards and lost up to 71% of their mass in soil within 12 weeks. Isolated microorganisms capable of using polyurethane as a sole carbon source were identified as key drivers of breakdown.
The goal of this research was to determine if we could develop commercially-relevant polyurethane products that can biodegrade in the natural environment. We developed polyester polyols from algae oils and formulated those into polyurethane foams that meet the standards for footwear, while maintaining a chemical structure that would allow them to biodegrade. These foams were incubated in compost and soil, and lost 30% and 71% mass, and 41% and 71.5% compression force, respectively, after 12 weeks. Several bacteria and fungi grew abundantly on the polyurethane and we were able to isolate microorganisms from compost and soil capable of growth with polyurethane as the sole carbon source. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Imaging Mass Spectrometry were used to visualize biodegradation activity. Enzymatic hydrolysis confirmed that breakdown products were reproductions of the original monomers. These results demonstrate that it is possible to create polyurethane products that have an end-of-life biodegradation option.