Biodegradability in aquatic system of thin materials based on chitosan, PBAT and HDPE polymers: Respirometric and physical-chemical analysis

Biodegradation tests of chitosan (CH), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers were carried out using the standard OECD 301D guidelines. The results showed that the CH samples biodegraded faster than those of PBAT. Photographs registered exhibited the complete or partial disintegration of the samples, and a more opaque color was observed with the increase of biodegradation. FTIR analysis showed some changes in the intensity of the typical bands of the HDPE sample. The presence of P. nitroreducens bacteria was revealed on the PBAT sample surface by SEM studies. Additionally, a clear increase in elastic modulus (EM) and tensile strength (TS) values were observed in PBAT and HDPE samples on day 3, which decreased significantly at the end of the study. Furthermore, an increase in the crystallinity of the HDPE sample was observed on day 28.