Question

Which of the following is not a biodegradable polymer?
A. Glyptal
B. Polyhydroxy butyrate – CO-$${{\beta }}$$ hydroxyl valerate
C. PHBV
D. Nylon – 2 - $${{\beta }}$$ hydroxyl

Answer 1

Hint: Biodegradable polymers are those which tend to decompose under the anaerobic and aerobic conditions by the action of microorganisms and enzymes. They tend to develop the materials such as starch, cellulose or polyesters. The commonly used biodegradable polymer is aliphatic polyesters.

Complete step by step answer:
The Polyhydroxy butyrate – CO-$${{\beta }}$$ hydroxyl valerate is biodegradable polymer which is formed by combining the 3 hydroxy butanoic acid as well as by 3 hydroxy pentanoic acid. They have been formed by cross linking by the ester linkage. It tends to decompose into water and carbon dioxide. It is used in the manufacturing of bottles. As the molecule contains the ester group which is considered as biodegradable so it is a biodegradable polymer.
The PHBV is the poly – hydroxybutyrate- CO hydroxyvalerate which is formed by the ester linkage between the 3 hydroxy butanoic acid as well as by 3 hydroxy pentanoic acid. As the molecule contains the ester group which is considered as biodegradable so it is a biodegradable polymer.
Nylon – 2 - $${{\beta }}$$ hydroxyl is a biodegradable polymer which is a plastic which is formed by the fibre forming polyamides.
So the glyptal is not a biodegradable polymer because it has a long chain of hydrogen and carbon atoms which has not been able to break the bonds by the enzymes or the microorganisms.

So, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: The example of non biodegradable polyethene is of three types. The first is linear high density polyethene. The other is branched low density polyethene. The other is ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The other example is polytetrafluoroethylene which is chemically inert and has high lubricity.