Classification of degradable plastics
According to the degradation pathway, degradable plastics can be divided into photodegradable plastics, thermally oxidizable plastics, and biodegradable plastics. According to the source of raw materials, it can be divided into petrochemical-based degradable plastics and bio-based degradable plastics.
Photodegradable plastics and thermal oxygen degradable plastics
Photodegradable plastics are plastics that degrade under the action of natural light; thermally oxygen-degradable plastics are plastics that degrade under the action of heat and/or oxidation. The problem in the application of these two types of degradable plastics is that they are restricted by the degradation conditions and do not degrade, so the application is restricted.
Biodegradable plastic
Biodegradable plastic refers to the action of microorganisms existing in nature under natural conditions (such as soil and/or sand, etc.) and/or under specific conditions (such as composting conditions or anaerobic conditions or aqueous culture fluids). Cause degradation, and eventually degrade into carbon dioxide or methane, water and mineralized inorganic salts of the elements contained therein, and new biomass plastics. Its attractiveness is that it can be decomposed in a short period of time under composting conditions, returning to nature and being environmentally friendly.