The physical characteristics of packaging polymers are influenced by their chemical structures, molecular weights, crystallinities, and processing conditions. The specific physical characteristics required for packaging depend on the products being packed and the storage environments. Frozen products, for example, have specific packaging requirements, while foods require more stringent packaging than solid products. Research is currently […]

The use of polymers in agriculture has rapidly expanded since the introduction of plastic films for greenhouse covering, chemical plant protection, and field mulching in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, all major classes of polymers, including plastics, coatings, elastomers, fibers, and water-soluble polymers, are utilized for a variety of applications such as controlled release of […]

Biodegradable synthetic materials have been developed for various medical applications, including surgical implants in blood vessels, implantable matrices for controlled long-term drug release in orthopedic surgery, absorbable surgical sutures, and eye treatment. These materials are collectively known as biomaterials, which refer to non-living materials used in medical devices that interact with biological systems. The term […]

Vinyl polymers are generally considered resistant to biodegradation, with some exceptions. Their biodegradation requires an oxidation process, and most biodegradable vinyl polymers contain readily oxidizable functional groups. However, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is an exception and can undergo biodegradation relatively easily. Studies have shown that PVA biodegradation occurs under the influence of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas. […]

Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating subunits called monomers, and their unique properties make them widely used in various industrial and biomedical applications. However, the accumulation of non-biodegradable synthetic polymers in the environment has become a major concern. The development of biodegradable polymers, therefore, has become an active area of research in recent years. […]

Biopolymers are naturally occurring polymers that are formed under natural conditions during the growth cycles of all organisms. They are formed within cells through complex metabolic processes. Biopolymers are also known as natural polymers, and the most interesting for materials applications are cellulose and starch. However, there is an increasing interest in more complex hydrocarbon […]