A Review on Photodegradable Plastics as a Packaging Material

광분해성 플라스틱의 패키징 소재의 고찰과 적용

There are increasing public concerns that the disposal of most synthetic carbon-based plastics is a great threat to the environment. These have led to intensive research and development of degradable plastics, such as biodegradable plastics, photodegradable plastics, and multi-degradable plastics. Although these degradable plastics may not completely replace common synthetic plastics, these minimize environmental impacts caused by non degradable plastics. Photodegradable plastics are synthetic polymers into which have been incorporated copolymers or light-sensitive additives to weaken the structural bonds in polymer chains when exposed to UV radiation. A better understanding of photodegradable plastics, which also play an important role in the degradation of multi-degradable plastics, will expand the usage of degradable plastics. The aim of present article is to review the formation, degradation mechanism and properties of photodegradable plastics.