Synthesis and Analysis of Environment Friendly Gelatin Grafted Biodegradable Polymer

Abstract

Polymers are extensively used in human life with a serious problem of disposal. The non-biodegradable polymers cause severe environmental concerns therefore synthesis of biodegradable green polymer was targeted in this study. Gelatin based grafted copolymer was synthesized with vinyl acetate and acrylonitrile monomers by the use of free radical polymerization technique with potassium per sulfate as initiator. The polymer was characterized by the use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA-DSC). FTIR proved the grafting of monomers on the backbone of the gelatin. TGA-DSC analyzed the degradation and melting of the copolymer and nanocomposite polymer. The nanocomposite biopolymer was prepared with the incorporation of suitable quantity of Nickel doped nanoparticles. Soil burial method was used for the study of biodegradation of this polymer for 60 days. The degradation study of the two prepared samples W-1 (copolymer) and W-2 (nanocomposite biopolymer) showed degradation percentage of 29.9% and 11.05% respectively. Initially, weight of the W-1 increased due to the absorption of moisture from the soil but after 20 days the weight of polymer decreased constantly due to degradation. The W-2 sample showed resistance against the biodegradation with slower degradation rate and was also less moisture absorber. Results depicted that the blended nanoparticles imparted resistance against the fungi and bacteria, therefore these nanocomposite biopolymers are more suitable for biodegradable packing.

Keywords: Biodegradable Polymer; Gelatin; Graft Polymerization; Nanocomposite; TGA-DSC