Biodegradable polymers (intro)
Polymers · Chemistry
Study notes
Why does PLA degrade but PE doesn't, though both are polyesters/polymers? Step 1: PLA: polylactic acid — ester bonds hydrolyze (enzymes/water attack). Step 2: PE: pure C–C backbone — no hydrolyzable bonds; enzymes can't grip. Step 3: Microbes evolved with esters (fats); C–C chains are alien. Step 4: Bond type decides fate — hydrolyzable links = biodegradable!