I  U  P  A  C






News & Notices

Organizations & People

Standing Committees

Divisions

Projects
..current
..completed
..new
..information

Reports

Publications

Symposia

AMP

Links of Interest

Search the Site

Home Page

 

 

Project

Macromolecular Division (IV)

WORKING PARTY ON STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF COMMERCIAL POLYMERS

Number: 421/36/97

Title: Studies on Biodegradable Poly(e-caprolactone)

Task Group
Chairmen:
M. Mochizuki and T. Hayashi
Members: K. Nakayama and T. Masuda

Completion Date: 2002 - project completed

Objective:
Environmental pollution brought about by plastic wastes have become a global problem. One of the solutions to the problem of plastic wastes management includes applications of biodegradable thermoplastics which degrade in soil, sea or lake water, activated sludge, or compost after their service life is over. Poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) is one of aliphatic polyesters that is a relatively inexpensive synthetic polymer currently available and is truly biodegradable under microbial attack. PCL is a partially crystalline polymer that has a moderately low melting point of 60 degree C. This polymer can be used to prepare a tough and high strength fiber through melt spinning. It presents new unique application potentials as nonwovens of disposable diapers, a compost bag of yard wastes, filter of garbage or sludge, roadside anti-erosion sheet, or fishing lines. Firstly, the relationship between structure and properties of PCL fibers with various draw ratios will be investigated in this study. Next, the environmental degradation behaviour of PCL fibers in soil or in water will be studied. And finally, the effects of morphology on enzymatic degradation of PCL fibers will be discussed in detail.

Progress:
Published Reports:

Project completed

Last update: 27 June 2002

If you want to update this information, contact us by e-mail
Do not forget to include the Project Number,
your name and relation with that project


Page last modified 2 July 2002.
Copyright ©1997-2002 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Questions or comments about IUPAC, please contact, the Secretariat.
Questions regarding the website, please contact web manager.