Biodegradability & Disposal of Polymers (AQA A Level Chemistry)

Biodegradability

Biodegradable polymers

• Both polyesters and polyamides can be broken down using hydrolysis reactions

• This is a major advantage over the polymers produced using alkene monomers (polyalkenes)

• When polyesters and polyamides are taken to landfill sites, they can be broken down easily and their products used for other applications

Hydrolysis of polyesters and polyamides

• Simple esters and amides can be hydrolysed by reaction with either aqueous acids or bases into carboxylic acids and alcohols (in the case of esters) or amines (in the case of amides)

• Condensation polymers are linked by ester or amide linkages and so can undergo hydrolysis

  • Under the action of acid catalysts or biological enzymes the amide and ester links in polyamides and polyesters can be hydrolysed into smaller fragments

• Polyalkenes are inert and non biodegradable as a result of the C-C bonds between the monomers in addition polymers

Disposal of Polymers

Disposal of Polymers

• There are three main ways of disposing of polymers; landfill, incineration and recycling and you need to know some advantages and disadvantages of each process

Table of different disposal methods for polymers