SYNTHESIS OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER. THE POLYMERIZATION OF LACTIC ACID WITH MICROWAVE RADIATION

During the last decade, most of the countries have introduced regulations to the plastic materials in order to increase its biodegradability and reduce the build-up in the environment. This work was done by a group of undergraduate students. The goal was to find new products and technology producing biodegradable polymers and final prototypes has to be presented. Constant supervision was given during all the semester to accomplish the goals. Lactic acid obtained from natural sources was reacted with the use of microwave radiation, to get a biodegradable polymer. Changing the time and the temperature of the polymerization different polymers were obtained. The properties of the final polymers were from extremely soft, ideal to be uses as glue, to a very hard, to produce solid objects.