High-throughput Photodegradation of Plastics

Abstract

Plastic is a critical resource in the modern world, but an emphasis on durability in design coupled with the widespread use of plastic products has led to significant accumulation of plastic waste in the environment. It is imperative that new chemistries are discovered to produce polymers with the correct properties to meet consumer demands, but with a finite and well understood lifetime in the environment. This thesis aims to evaluate the rate of abiotic degradation of different plastics using a high throughput photo-reactor, to better understand the rate at which plastic will degrade due to ultraviolet light exposure based on polymer type and properties. The research findings suggest that the photo-degradability of polymers is impacted by the presence of chromophores and the presence of impurities from manufacturing. The experiments were performed on a small range of the most common consumer plastics, but the methodology developed can be used to design more efficient degradation experiments. Continued research into the factors impacting degradation in laboratory settings and in the natural environment are needed to promote the development of more environmentally sustainable polymers.