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Biodegradability of carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites under aerobic mixed culture conditions.
- Source :
-
Science of the Total Environment . Oct2018, Vol. 639, p804-814. 11p. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- The properties and commercial viability of biodegradable polymers can be significantly enhanced by the incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The environmental impact and persistence of these carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites (CNT/PNCs) after disposal will be strongly influenced by their microbial interactions, including their biodegradation rates. At the end of consumer use, CNT/PNCs will encounter diverse communities of microorganisms in landfills, surface waters, and wastewater treatment plants. To explore CNT/PNC biodegradation under realistic environmental conditions, the effect of multi-wall CNT (MWCNT) incorporation on the biodegradation of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) was investigated using a mixed culture of microorganisms from wastewater. Relative to unfilled PHA (0% w/w), the MWCNT loading (0.5–10% w/w) had no statistically significant effect on the rate of PHA matrix biodegradation. Independent of the MWCNT loading, the extent of CNT/PNC mass remaining closely corresponded to the initial mass of CNTs in the matrix suggesting a lack of CNT release. CNT/PNC biodegradation was complete in approximately 20 days and resulted in the formation of a compressed CNT mat that retained the shape of the initial CNT/PNC. This study suggests that although CNTs have been shown to be cytotoxic towards a range of different microorganisms, this does not necessarily impact the biodegradation of the surrounding polymer matrix in mixed culture, particularly in situations where the polymer type and/or microbial population favor rapid polymer biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00489697
- Volume :
- 639
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Science of the Total Environment
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 130224272
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.137