Degradation control of biodegradable plastics using photosensitizer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20547
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0501:Physical chemistry, functional solid state chemistry, organic chemistry, polymers, organic materials, biomolecular chemistry, and related fields
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Hino Shodai 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 生命工学領域, 研究員 (90908782)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 海洋生分解 / 光増感剤 / 活性酸素種 / 抗菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It was found that the compositing of photosensitisers and biodegradable plastics by the exchange-reaction method was feasible. However, the biodegradation inhibition could not be clearly demonstrated due to the low transfer rate. Photosensitiser composites prepared by the solvent casting method were found to inhibit biodegradation by disinfecting the biodegrading bacteria with active oxygen and by inactivating the enzymes outside the bacteria. Furthermore, in field tests, it was found that biodegradation tended to be suppressed under exposure to sunlight. It was also found that there was a significant difference in the effect of biodegradation inhibition depending on the test period and test site.

Free Research Field

高分子化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

生分解性と耐久性はトレードオフの関係にあることから，実際の使用環境に耐えうる生分解性材料は極めて少なく，これらの両立が実用化に向けての大きなハードルとなっている。本研究の成果は使用時には分解されず，廃棄後に分解が進む「オンデマンド分解」型生分解性プラスチックの開発に資する知見を提供し，特定の環境でのみ分解が可能な生分解性スイッチング技術の発展に寄与するものと考えられる。