Photodegradable plastics: End-of-life design principles

Bevin C. Daglen, David R. Tyler

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Photochemically degradable polymers and plastics are reviewed with an emphasis on the environmental and molecular factors that control the onset of degradation and the rate of degradation. A number of principles are beginning to emerge for the design of viable photochemically degradable plastics. Among the principles discussed are those relating to the effects of chromophores, initiators, antioxidants, temperature, oxygen diffusion into the plastic, polymer crystallinity, tensile and compressive stress, and the absorbed light intensity on the plastic. To obtain a plastic with a controlled lifetime and a specific rate of degradation, many of these parameters can be controlled or adjusted in the design stage of the plastic.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-82
Number of pages14
JournalGreen Chemistry Letters and Reviews
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Keywords

  • Autoxidation
  • Degradable plastics
  • End-of-life
  • Photodegradation

EGS Disciplines

  • Chemistry

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