Experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer

Plastic bags have become an integral part of modern society since their invention in 1960 by Sten Gustaf Thulin. However, the poor biodegradation ability of traditional plastics allows them to linger in the environment long after disposal which has resulted in the accumulation of plastic waste and t...

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Main Author: Juay, Zhen Yu
Other Authors: Chian Kerm Sin
Format: Final Year Project
Language:English
Published: Nanyang Technological University 2020
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Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/141056
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
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spelling sg-ntu-dr.10356-1410562023-03-04T19:30:33Z Experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer Juay, Zhen Yu Chian Kerm Sin School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering ASKSChian@ntu.edu.sg Engineering::Mechanical engineering Plastic bags have become an integral part of modern society since their invention in 1960 by Sten Gustaf Thulin. However, the poor biodegradation ability of traditional plastics allows them to linger in the environment long after disposal which has resulted in the accumulation of plastic waste and the world is now facing the consequences of decades of plastic pollution. Biodegradable plastics have been developed as a potential eco-friendly solution to replace and substitute traditional plastics. These biodegradable plastics are polymers made from a blend of various organic materials and one of the common types available is Tapioca Starch-Poly (Lactic) Acid (TS-PLA). In this project, we aim to experimentally determine and characterize the long-term degradation effects of Ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation on the material properties of TS-PLA films. These properties include the physical, mechanical, molecular, and thermal properties of the material. Long term exposure is achieved using accelerated aging testing to maintain the timeframe allocated for this project. Long-term UV irradiation has a distinct and profound effect on Tapioca Starch – Polylactic Acid films which varies depending on the variant of UV light used. In general, UV light degrades the molecular structure of the material and causes various extents of changes in the material properties of TS-PLA films. This project will provide a greater understanding of how long-term ultraviolet irradiation can affect the degradation process of TS-PLA. Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) 2020-06-03T09:15:25Z 2020-06-03T09:15:25Z 2020 Final Year Project (FYP) https://hdl.handle.net/10356/141056 en B388 application/pdf Nanyang Technological University
institution Nanyang Technological University
building NTU Library
continent Asia
country Singapore
Singapore
content_provider NTU Library
collection DR-NTU
language English
topic Engineering::Mechanical engineering
spellingShingle Engineering::Mechanical engineering
Juay, Zhen Yu
Experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer
description Plastic bags have become an integral part of modern society since their invention in 1960 by Sten Gustaf Thulin. However, the poor biodegradation ability of traditional plastics allows them to linger in the environment long after disposal which has resulted in the accumulation of plastic waste and the world is now facing the consequences of decades of plastic pollution. Biodegradable plastics have been developed as a potential eco-friendly solution to replace and substitute traditional plastics. These biodegradable plastics are polymers made from a blend of various organic materials and one of the common types available is Tapioca Starch-Poly (Lactic) Acid (TS-PLA). In this project, we aim to experimentally determine and characterize the long-term degradation effects of Ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation on the material properties of TS-PLA films. These properties include the physical, mechanical, molecular, and thermal properties of the material. Long term exposure is achieved using accelerated aging testing to maintain the timeframe allocated for this project. Long-term UV irradiation has a distinct and profound effect on Tapioca Starch – Polylactic Acid films which varies depending on the variant of UV light used. In general, UV light degrades the molecular structure of the material and causes various extents of changes in the material properties of TS-PLA films. This project will provide a greater understanding of how long-term ultraviolet irradiation can affect the degradation process of TS-PLA.
author2 Chian Kerm Sin
author_facet Chian Kerm Sin
Juay, Zhen Yu
format Final Year Project
author Juay, Zhen Yu
author_sort Juay, Zhen Yu
title Experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer
title_short Experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer
title_full Experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer
title_fullStr Experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer
title_full_unstemmed Experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer
title_sort experimental investigation of long-term ultraviolet irradiation effects on a commerical biodegradable polymer
publisher Nanyang Technological University
publishDate 2020
url https://hdl.handle.net/10356/141056
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