biodegradation of pp films modified with organic pro-degradant: natural ageing and biodegradation in soil in respirometric test

In this study, pp films were modified with an organic prodegradant in different concentrations (1, 2 and 3wt.%), exposed in the first step of degradation to natural ageing for 100 days followed by biodegradation insimulated soil in the respirometric test for 100 days. at the end of the combined degradation process the pp sampleswere characterized according to their morphological and physical properties and the co2 generated during thebiodegradation in soil was monitored. the co2 production by the pp films modified with the organic prodegradantwas proportional to the oxidation rate and weight loss of the samples. the reduction in the average viscosimetricmolecular weight could be attributed to chain scission due to the weathering conditions to which the samples wereexposed (natural ageing followed by biodegradation in soil). scanning electron microscopy (sem) of the pp filmsrevealed surface deterioration of the films with the organic prodegradant after the combined degradation process.