Environmentally biodegradable water-soluble polymers

The chapter concludes with some projections for fumre directions for research and commercial opportunities for environmentally biodegradable water-soluble polymers. 

Swift G (2002) Environmentally biodegradable water-soluble polymers. In Scott, G. Degradable polymers - principles and applications, Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 379-412. 

Swift G, (2002) Chapter 11 Environmentally biodegradable water soluble polymers , in G Scott (ed.). Degradable Polymers, 2nd edn, 379-412 Kluwer Acad. Pub., The Netherlands. 

There have been numerous definitions proposed for environmentally degradable and biodegradable water-soluble polymers and plastics, almost every article written on the subject includes the author s favorite definitions. All tend to encompass the same broad concepts but are slightly different in phraseology depending on the author s perspective... 

Polyethylene oxide) (PEO) is a semicrystalline water-soluble polymer [64, 65], with a crystallinity that is very sensitive to the thermal history of the sample, making this property interesting as an indicator of degradation. Because it is biodegradable and biocompatible, PEO is a good candidate for environmental and medical applications [66-68]. The mechanisms of thermo- and photo-oxidation of PEO have already been investigated [69, 70] on the basis of IR identification of the oxidation products and are summarized in Scheme 10.1. 

In summary, it is apparent tbat there are selective opportunities for environmentally degradable polymers and plastics. Notably for water-soluble polymers where recovery is unlikely. There are niche opportunities for plastics such as fast food wrappers, fast food utensils, where separation is avoided and the plastic is already in a food matrix that is suitable for biodegradation litter ocean dumping agricultural applications where recoveiy is unlikely and expensive for films and mulch and hygienic products. 

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