Facile synthesis of novel interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) from semi-IPN: comparative analysis of biodegradation studies for environmental remediation

Abstract

This paper reports the novel synthesis of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) from semi-IPN. This semi-IPN is based on naturally occurring Colocasia esculenta corn starch. The toxicity levels were compared through various biodegradation methods. The polymer network was synthesised from the corresponding semi-IPN via a green pathway by using green solvent (water) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as secondary monomer. The biodegradability of synthesized IPN was tested by vermi-composting, composting and soil burial methods. The study was divided into three stages that lasted up to 70 days. The synthesised IPN degraded 78.94 %, 69.23 % and 67.24 % within 70 days by vermi-composting, composting and burying in the soil, respectively. This was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersion analysis (SEM-EDX) for each stage. Therefore, the system could be considered for agrochemical release without affecting soil fertility.