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Table 1 Types of polymer (Averous and Pollet 2012; Babul et al. 2013)

From: Review on the current status of polymer degradation: a microbial approach

Type of polymer

Structure

R group

Structure

Tm (°C)

Application

References

Bio-based polymers

Poly (3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV)

Homo-polymer

Ethyl

118

Industrial, drug delivery

(Averous and Pollet 2012; Liu et al. 2014; Ojumu et al. 2004; Turesin et al. 2000; Bonartsev et al. 2007)

Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)

Homo-polymer

Methyl

168–182

Pharmaceutical and drug delivery

(Averous and Pollet 2012; Liu et al. 2014; Velde and Kiekens 2002; Nurbas and Kutsal 2004; Ojumu et al. 2004; Jirage et al. 2011; Turesin et al. 2000)

Poly (3-hydroxyoctadecanoate) (PHOd)

Homo-polymer

Penta decanoyl

54–55

Medicine area

(Averous and Pollet 2012; Guo et al. 2013; Dhar et al. 2008; Giudicianni et al. 2013; Bonilla and Perilla 2011)

Poly (3-hydroxyoctanoate) (PHO)

Homo-polymer

Pentyl

40–60

Medical applications

(Averous and Pollet 2012; Souza 2013; Basnett et al. 2012; Liu et al. 2011; Basnett et al. 2013)

Poly (3-hydroxydecanoate) (PHD)

Homo-polymer

Heptyl

54

Fiber industry

(Averous and Pollet 2012; Werner et al. 2014; Song et al. 1998; Rameshwari and Meenakshisundaram 2014)

Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHx)

Co-polymer

Methyl, with propyl

10%HH×120

Medical applications

(Babul et al. 2013; Averous and Pollet 2012; Chang et al. 2014; Coen and Dehority 1970; Xie et al. 2009)

Poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)

Co-polymer

Methyl with ethyl

165–175

Pharmaceutical (drug delivery)

(Nerland et al. 2014; Gerard et al. 2014; Nwachkwu et al. 2010; Hatakka 2005; Danis et al. 2015; Zembouai et al. 2014)

Synthetic polymers

Polyethylene

Homo-polymer

Hydrogen

140–143

In wires (as insulating matter), bags

(Tobin 2010; Nakayama et al. 1991; Menon et al. 2010; Petre et al. 1999)

Polyvinyl chloride

Homo-polymer

Chorine

[–CH2–CHCl–]n

115–245

Leather, pipe, bottles

(Wilkes et al. 2005; Summers 2008; Summers 1996; Menon et al. 2010)

Polypropylene

Homo-polymer

Methyl

165

Fabric material, carpets

(Ruiyun et al. 1994; Tripathi 2002; Mccallum et al. 2007; Yam 2009; Perez et al. 2014; Menon et al. 2010; Petre et al. 1999)

Polyethylene terephthalate

Homo-polymer

Carboxyl and hydroxyl

280

Packaging applications, bottles, food wrappers, pipes

(Zheng and Yanful 2005; Perez et al. 2002; Liu et al. 2011; Jeffrie 1994; Kwon et al. 2009)

Polyurethane

Hetero-polymer

Isocyanate and polyol

400

Fibers, foams, paints, coating, packaging

(Zheng and Yanful 2005; Slade et al. 1964; Zafar 2013; Zembouai et al. 2014)

Polystyrene

Homo-polymer

Phenyl

240

Cups, containers, pharmaceutical, plates, cosmetics

(Zheng and Yanful, 2005; Sharma et al. 2000; Flavel et al. 2006; Nakayama et al. 1991; Carvalheiro et al. 2008; Mcalpine et al. 2001)

Polycarbonate

Homo-polymer

Carbonate

52–150

Heat-resistant coating, optical instruments and automotives

(Sweileh et al. 2010; Koutsos 2009; Jeon and Baek 2010; Cheah and Cook 2003; Akola and Jones 2003; Scheller and Ulvskov 2010; Takanashi et al. 1982)

Nylon

Homo-polymer

Amide

190, 276

Fiber manufacturing

(Leja and Lewandowicz 2010a, b; Chao and Hovatter 1987; Wan et al. 1995; Kubokawa and Hatakeyama 2002; Hasegawa and Mikuni 2014)