Definition of degradable plastic

Degradable plastic means that under certain conditions, plastic materials can undergo chemical, physical or biological processes and break down into smaller molecules or compounds. This decomposition process allows the plastic to reduce its volume and mass, eventually converting it into simpler compounds such as water, carbon dioxide, methane, etc., or being broken down by microorganisms into substances that can be accepted by the environment.

Degrading plastic can be achieved in different ways:

Photodegradation: Certain plastics will undergo oxidation reactions under the action of sunlight or ultraviolet rays, resulting in the breakage and destruction of molecular chains.

Thermal degradation: Under high temperature conditions, the molecular chains of plastic materials will accelerate cracking and decomposition to form smaller molecules.

Biodegradation: Some plastics can be decomposed by microorganisms, and plastic molecules are converted into water, carbon dioxide, organic matter, etc. through microbial metabolism.

Chemical degradation: Certain chemical treatments can accelerate the breaking and breakdown of plastic molecules into simpler substances.

The purpose of degrading plastics is to reduce the negative impact of plastics on the environment. It can reduce the long-term existence time of plastics, shorten the life cycle of plastics, and reduce potential harm to the natural environment and living organisms. However, the efficiency and feasibility of degrading plastics depend on the specific materials and degradation conditions, and different degradation methods and materials may have different degradation speeds and effects.