Characterization of Biodegradable Polymers: (I) Biodegradation of Poly(vinyl alcohol) under Aerobic and Aqueous Conditions

摘要

Biodegradation experiments were conducted according to ASTM D5271 to determine the rate of biodegradation of poly(vinyl alcohol), under aerobic and aqueous condition, in an activated sludge, using an oxygen respirometer. The percent of polymer biodegraded was estimated from the measured biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) divided by the theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD). The impact of temperature and polymer concentration on the total oxygen uptake, ultimate biochemical oxygen demand (UBOD), and percent degradation of polymer was evaluated. The experiments showed that the increase in the polymer concentration, not the temperature, caused the increase in the rate and percent of polymer biodegradation.