Microbial Degradation of Surface Modified Low Density Polyethylene Film

Abstract

Polyethylene is one of the most commonly used polymeric materials. The purpose of this work is to biodegrade pre-processed low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films of low surface energy in presence of microbes. The work was done in three steps: first the LDPE film surface was modified by high voltage corona treatment that increased the surface energy as well as wettability through introduction of oxidized groups like -OH, >C=0 and -COOH into the LDPE chains to help the biodegradation by microorganisms. Secondly, the surface -OH groups of modified LDPE films were further esterified with glycolic acid by electrolysis. Lastly, the degradation of LDPE films was studied in culture medium using microbes at two different temperatures 22±3°C and 37°C. ATR-IR spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and tensile testing analyzed the modified LDPE films. It was found that the glycolic acid modified LDPE film degraded much faster as compared to only corona treated and untreated LDPE films.