Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 2.1
Summary of biodegradable polymers to consider for CRBP
Beneficial controlled release
characteristics
Polymer groups
Group examples
Poly(esters)
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)
Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA)
Copolymer
Poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic
acid) (PLGA)
Homopolymers
Poly(d-Lactic acid) (PDLA)
Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)
Bulk degradation with random
hydrolytic scission of polymer
backbone. Degradation rates
vary based on structure
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)
also referred to as poly
(ethylene oxide) (PEO)
Poly(ortho esters)
(DETOSU)-based poly(ortho
esters)
Cross-linked poly(ortho
esters)
Allows for diffusion mechanisms
after the polymer chains at the
surface are degraded
Poly(anhydrides)
Sebacic acid (SA)
P-(carboxyphenoxy)propoane
(CPP)
P-(carboxyohenoxy)hexane
(CPH)
Poly(anhydride-imides)
Poly(anhydride-esters)
Hydrophobic with water sensitive
linkages
- heterogeneous surface erosion
Poly(amides)
Poly(amino acids)
Polymers with combinations of
amino acids
Examples: poly(glutamic acid)
or poly(aspartic acid)
Hydrophilic with degradation rates
dependent upon amide bond
Poly(saccharides)
Natural polymers made with
starch, cellulose, and chitosan
Natural polymers
release, and combined control mechanisms. Figure 2.1 depicts the mechanistic
designs to enable the controlled release of treatment chemicals from biodegradable
polymers.
2.2 Controlled Release Chemical Oxidation
and Literature Review
This research seeks to investigate controlled release methods using biodegradable
polymers to deliver chemical oxidants for environmental remediation. Chemical
oxidants are highly reactive, non-selective chemicals that generate hydroxyl radicals
