Electret-thermal analysis to assess biodegradation of polymer composites

Electret-thermal analysis (ETA) commonly used to study electric polarization of dielectrics has been for the first time applied to assess and examine biodegradation of polymer composites containing low-density polyethylene and cornstarch. Thermally stimulated currents (TSC) spectra for each polymer composite displayed characteristic features. Data showed that TSC spectra varied with the time of composite residence in the soil. Biodegradation of the starch filler particles and oxidation and biodeterioration of polyethylene binder were found to be responsible for the observed TSC spectral changes. ETA results agreed well with other assessment methods, including infrared spectroscopy, differential-thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and physico-mechanical testing. Investigation of biodegradation of polymer composites using ETA has proved to be a reliable tool to show biological damage.