Polyester-based (bio)degradable polymers as environmentally friendly materials for sustainable development

Abstract

This review focuses on the polyesters such as polylactide and polyhydroxyalkonoates, as well as polyamides produced from renewable resources, which are currently among the most promising (bio)degradable polymers. Synthetic pathways, favourable properties and utilisation (most important applications) of these attractive polymer families are outlined. Environmental impact and in particular (bio)degradation of aliphatic polyesters, polyamides and related copolymer structures are described in view of the potential applications in various fields.

Figure 1

Alkaline-catalysed hydrolysis of polyesters, originally published in [9].

Figure 2

Acid-catalysed hydrolysis of polyesters, originally published in [9].

Figure 3

Scheme of general mechanism of enzymatic catalysed hydrolytic polymer degradation, originally published in [14].

Figure 4

Strategies used to enhance the sustainability of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production processes, originally published in [21] under CC BY 3.0 license.

Figure 5

Preparation of block copolymers PHA-block-aPHB from low-molar mass macroinitiators, originally published in [61].

Figure 6

Zoe B Beach Toys, Compostable Shopping Bag, based on Metabolix, Inc. [67].

Figure 7

Polylactide market size in 2013 by application [154].

Figure 8

Establishment of hydrogen bonds between Nylon-56 molecular chains, (a) scheme of the unfavourable hydrogen-bond geometry between odd diamide units of Nylon-56 molecular chains with an all trans conformation and (b) scheme of the establishment of hydrogen bonds along two directions when consecutive amide planes of a molecular chain slightly rotate in opposite directions from the plane defined by the methylene carbon atoms (nitrogen, blue; oxygen, red; carbon, gray; hydrogen, brown), originally published in [180].