JMSSJ On-line

JMSSJ On-line, Vol. 51 (2003) No. 1, pp. 319-323

Evaluation of Biodegradability of Polymeric Materials by Analytical Pyrolysis and Mass Spectrometry		>> Full Text PDF >> References
Hiroaki SATO^* ^Institute for Environmental Management Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) (16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan)*

In order to develop a noble evaluation method for biodegradability of polymeric materials, various biodegradable polymers have been characterized mainly by using pyrolysis-gas chromatography (Py-GC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). First, the degree of biodegradation of poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) film samples during the soil burial degradation test was evaluated by Py-GC. This technique was further applied to evaluate the compositional change of biodegradable polymer blends during enzymatic degradation test. On the other hand, enzymatic degradation behavior of a biodegradable polyester with a controlled terminal structure was monitored by MALDI-MS mainly focused on the changes in molecular weight distribution and terminal structure. Finally, biodegradation intermediates of nonionic surfactant were characterized by MALDI-MS. By using ¹⁸O-labelled water as an incubation medium, detailed biodegradation mechanisms of the surfactant were proposed.

Key words: MALDI-MS, Py-GC, Biodegradation, Polymer characterization