Biodegradability of polyolefins under accelerated weathering and composting conditions

The biodegradability of polyolefin films containing different weight percent (0.1,0.2,0.5 W%) of pro-oxidant additives was evaluated in natural weathering and composting conditions. The compostability was estimated by percent weight loss, morphological changes by optical microscopy and the changes in hydroxyl and carbonyl absorption by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Strength of polymer composites was measured after exposure to polychromatic irradiation (λ≥290 nm) and composting conditions for different time intervals. It was found that degradation rate is strongly dependent on the UV irradiation and concentration of the additive. From this, we conclude that photoirradiation and concentration of additive is the precursor of bio-degradation of polyolefin.