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UV-C and UV-C/H₂O-Induced Abiotic Degradation of Films of Commercial PBAT/TPS Blends
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Researchers investigated how UV-C irradiation and combined UV-C/water exposure degrade commercial PBAT/TPS bioplastic films, finding that UV-C caused chain scission and molar mass reduction while water immersion enhanced physical erosion by leaching out the starch fraction and creating a porous structure.
The environmental impact of conventional plastics has spurred interest in biopolymers as sustainable alternatives, yet their performance under abiotic degradation conditions still remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of ultraviolet C (UV-C) irradiation and its combination with water immersion (UV-C/H2O) on films of commercial poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)-thermoplastic starch (PBAT/TPS) blends. Changes in structural, chemical, morphological, and thermal properties, as well as molar mass, were analyzed. The results showed distinct degradation mechanisms during exposure to UV-C irradiation either in dry or during water-immersion conditions. UV-C irradiation disrupted PBAT ester linkages, inducing photodegradation and chain scission, leading to a more pronounced molar mass decrease compared to that under water immersion, where a more restrained impact on the molar mass was ascribed to diffuse attenuation coefficient of irradiation. Nevertheless, under UV-C/H2O conditions, erosion and disintegration were enhanced by dissolving and leaching of mainly the TPS fraction, creating a porous structure that facilitated the degradation of the film. Blends with higher TPS content exhibited greater susceptibility, with pronounced reductions in PBAT molar mass. In conclusion, exposure of films of PBAT/TPS blends to ultraviolet/water-assisted environments effectively initiated abiotic degradation, in which fragmentation was accentuated by the contribution of water immersion.
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Generation of biodegradable microplastics from commercially available PBAT and PLA-based plastic bags in water: Impacts of UVA and water medium
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Researchers tested how commercially available biodegradable plastic bags made from PBAT and PLA degrade in water under UVA light and dark conditions over 12 weeks. They found that both materials degraded faster in pure water than seawater, and UVA light significantly accelerated breakdown, but neither fully decomposed. The study confirms that biodegradable plastics generate microplastic fragments during incomplete degradation in aquatic environments.
Design and Preparation of Inherently Photostable Poly(Butylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate) by Chemically Bonding UV-Stabilizing Moieties in Molecular Chains
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This study developed poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with UV-stabilizing moieties chemically bonded directly into its molecular chains, overcoming the leaching limitations of conventional blended UV absorbers. The UV-stable PBAT retained 67% tensile strength and 49% elongation after accelerated aging with no detectable UV absorber leaching, showing strong potential for outdoor applications such as agricultural mulch films.
Mechanical and Physical Changes in Bio-Polybutylene-Succinate Induced by UVC Ray Photodegradation
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Researchers studied how UVC radiation degrades bio-polybutylene succinate, a biodegradable plastic used in packaging and biomedical applications. They found that UVC exposure caused significant changes in the material's mechanical strength, crystallinity, and surface chemistry over time. The findings are relevant for understanding how biodegradable plastics break down and potentially release microplastic fragments under certain environmental conditions.
Photodegradation of biobased polymer blends in seawater: A major source of microplastics in the marine environment
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Researchers investigated microplastic formation from the photodegradation of three biobased polymer blends -- non-biodegradable polyethylene/thermoplastic starch (PE/TPS) and polypropylene/thermoplastic starch (PP/TPS) blends, and biodegradable polylactic acid/thermoplastic starch (PLA/TPS) -- after exposure to seawater in simulated marine conditions. They found that photodegradation of these biobased blends generates microplastics and causes significant changes in physicochemical properties, identifying them as a potential source of marine microplastic pollution despite their eco-friendly positioning.
Formulations, Processing, and Application of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/Thermoplastic Starch Blends: A Review
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This review covers recent advances in blending poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with thermoplastic starch to create lower-cost, more degradable bioplastic materials, examining how starch plasticizers, compatibilizers, and processing methods affect the mechanical properties and application potential of these blends.
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