Non-biodegradable and biodegradable polymer What are biodegradable polymers? Give examples. OR What is biodegradable polymer?

Give an example of a biodegradable aliphatic. (NCERT) Ans: The polymers which are degraded by micro-organisms within a suitable period so that the polymers and their degraded products do not cause any serious effects on the environment are called biodegradable polymers. Eg. Polyhydroxy butyrate-co-13-hydroxy valerate (PI{BV), Nylon-2-nylon-6 Dextron etc. Write a short note on non-biodegradable polymer.(NCERT) Ans: i. Non-biodegradable polymers are those polymers which are not degraded by micro-organisms. ii. Major portion of synthetic polymers are being used as throw awaycontainers and packing materials. iii. These do not disintegrate by themselves (are non-biodegradable) over a period of time. iv. This is not an advantage, rather, it has presented mankind with a serious waste disposal problem. v. With the ever increasing use of plastics, soon the civilization will have a pile of plastic debris. Eg. Plastic (Polyethylene), Nylon, Rayon, Polyester, PVC, Dacron. Explain the need of biodegradable polymers. Ans: i. A large number of polymers are quite resistant to the environmental degradation process and are thus responsible for the accumulation of polymeric solid waste materials. ii. These solid wastes cause acute environmental problems and remain undegraded

for quite a long time. iii. In a view of the general awareness and concern for the problems created by the polymeric solid wastes, certain new biodegradable synthetic polymers have been designed and developed. iv. These polymers contain functional groups similar to the functional groups present in biopolymers.. v. Aliphatic polyesters are one of the important classes of biodegradable polymers. Write a short note on I. Polyhydroxy butyrate-co---hydroxy valerate (PHBV) ii. Dextron iii. Nylon-2-nylon-6 Ans: i. Polyhydroxy bntyrate-co-f3-hydroxy valerate (PHBV): It is obtained by the co-polymerisation of 3-hydroxy butanoic acid and 3-hydroxy pentanoic acid.

Uses of PHBV: i. PHBV is used in speciality packaging. ii. It is used in orthopaedic devices and in controlled release of drugs. iii. PHBV undergoes bacterial degradation in the environment. ii. Dextron:

 It is polyglycolic acid-polylactic-acid polymer. The monomers used are glycollic acid and lactic acid. It is a copolymer and has ester linkage.

Uses f Dextron: i. Used as friction modifier, it is added to lubricants to reduce surface friction. iii. Nylon-2-nylon-6: It is a copolymer and contains polyamide linkages. It is obtained by condensation polymerisation of the monomers, glycine and u-amino caproic acid.

Uses of Nylon-2-nylon-6: i. In preparing nylon ropes ii. Astro turf uses nylon fibers for their turf. iii. It is used for making fishing nets, ropes, parachutes and type cords. State the uses of biodegradable polymer. Ans: Uses of biodegradable polymer: i. Biodegradable polymers are used mainly for medical goods such as surgical

sutures, tissue in growth materials or for controlled drug release devices, plasma substitutes etc. ii. The decomposition reactions usually involve hydrolysis (either molecules which can be metabolized by or excreted from the body. iii. These are also finding use in agriculture materials (such as films, seed coatings), fast food wrappers, personal hygiene products etc.