抄録
High Molecular weight polycarboxylates, which contain biodegradable segments in the polymer chain, are accepted as the substrates for the extracellular enzymes of environmental microbes. They were prepared as an attempt to develop biodegradable polycarboxylates, and their biodegradability and builder performance in heavy duty detergent formulations were evaluated. Polycarboxylates containing sugar groups as biodegradable segments were prepared by partial dicarboxylation of naturally occurring polysaccharides via dialdehydes. In addition, polycarboxylates containing vinyl alcohol groups as biodegradable segments were prepared by radical copolymerization of functional carboxylate monomers and vinyl acetate with subsequent saponification. Polymers that contain chain length longer than a definite chain length of sugar blocks or polyvinyl alcohol blocks as biodegradable segments, which are incorporated into the polymer chain in such a manner that they are accepted as substrates by the corresponding degrading enzymes, are biodegradable in the environment. The biodegradability and builder performance of these polymers varied inversely with the content of the biodegradable segment in the polymer chain. The influence of the polymer structure on biodegradability and builder performance was analyzed. In addition, polycarboxylates containing ester linkages, acetal linkages or carbonyl groups were also evaluated and compared for their biodegradability and builder performances.
