Effect of chemical treatment on biological degradation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Ashutosh Kr Chaudhary and R. P. Vijayakumar ()
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Ashutosh Kr Chaudhary: Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
R. P. Vijayakumar: Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2020, vol. 22, issue 2, No 24, 1093-1104

Abstract: Abstract The present study deals with capacity of Cephalosporium species to degrade high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE was treated with nitric acid to make it susceptible to microorganisms. Chemical treatment with nitric acid introduces carbonyl and nitro functional groups in HDPE as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Gravimetric analysis showed a decrease in weight of the polymer by 7.18 ± 0.15% after 20 days of incubation period. Reduction in the weight of polymer confirmed the ability of Cephalosporium species to utilize HDPE for their growth. The pH of liquid culture media was found to decrease, whereas total dissolved solids and conductivity increase with the incubation period. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed changes in morphology of films inoculated with Cephalosporium species. Decrease in crystallinity observed using X-ray diffraction studies further confirmed the degradation of pre-treated HDPE. The observed results reveal that the Cephalosporium species could be effectively used for the degradation of pre-treated HDPE under laboratory conditions.

Keywords: Biodegradation; High-density polyethylene; Cephalosporium species; TDS; Conductivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-018-0236-6

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