engleski

Biodegradability during composting of ternary blends

he scope of my research covers the preparation and characterization of biomaterials, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(epsilon- caprolactone) (PCL) and thermoplastic starch (TPS). After that the characterized biomaterials were exposed to biodegradation through composting process. The composting process was conducted in an adiabatic closed reactor for 21 days. The biomaterials were mixed with composting substrate (bio waste) and during composting process it was monitored temperature, pH-value, % moisture and volatile matter and evolved CO2. The thermophilic phase prevailed in the composting process, indicating intensive biodegradation of substrate and biodegradation of investigated biomaterials. During biodegradation study it was notices that the percentage of biodegradability increased with the increase % of TPS in blends. SEM analysis revealed the formation of pores, cavities, discontinuities, and cracks resulting from the time beneath the compost. Since, the microorganisms use starch as a carbon source, higher concentration of TPS causes considerable acceleration of biodegradation of PCL and PLA. During composting process all investigated materials showed a high degree of biodegradation, but to obtain higher percentage of biodegradation it will be good to prolonged time of composting process or to inoculate some microorganisms which can enhance biodegradation of materials.

biomaterials ; PLA ; PCL ; TPS ; biodegradability

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