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A comparative study on Poly(ε-caprolactone) film degradation at extreme pH values
- Source :
- RiuNet. Repositorio Institucional de la Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia, instname
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2016.
-
Abstract
- The present paper studies the effect of pH on hydrolytic degradation of Poly(ε-aprolactone) (PCL) Degradation of the films was performed at 37 C in 2.5 M NaOH solution (pH 13) and 2.5 M HCl solution (pH 1). Weight loss, degree of swelling, molecular weight, and calorimetric and mechanical properties were obtained as a function of degradation time. Morphological changes in the samples were carefully studied through electron microscopy. At the start of the process the degradation rate of PCL films at pH 13 was faster than at pH 1. In the latter case, there was an induction period of around 300 h with no changes in weight loss or swelling rate, but there were drastic changes in molecular weight and crystallinity. The changes in some properties throughout the degradation period, such as crystallinity, molecular weight and Young s modulus were lower in degradations at higher pH, highlighting differences in the degradation mechanism of alkaline and acid hydrolysis. Along with visual inspection of the degraded samples, this suggests a surface degradation at pH 13, whereas bulk degradation may occur at pH 1.<br />The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education through the MAT2013-46467-C4-1-R Project. A. Vidaurre would also like to acknowledge the support from CIBER-BBN, an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008-2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund.
- Subjects :
- Hydrolytic degradation
Polymers and Plastics
PH
European Regional Development Fund
02 engineering and technology
010402 general chemistry
01 natural sciences
chemistry.chemical_compound
Environmental protection
Political science
Materials Chemistry
Forensic engineering
Hydrolysis
021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology
Condensed Matter Physics
0104 chemical sciences
chemistry
PCL
Mechanics of Materials
FISICA APLICADA
MAQUINAS Y MOTORES TERMICOS
Christian ministry
0210 nano-technology
Caprolactone
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 01413910
- Volume :
- 130
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Polymer Degradation and Stability
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....8694273131ff445088dc097a18b3df8f