Gel Permeative Chromatography (GPC) Analysis of Polycaprolactone (PCL) Based Biodegradable Composites through Laboratory Soil Test

Biodegradability is an important asset for a polymer for their acceptance by the society due to the increased environmental awareness people over the years. In this study, Polycaprolactone (PCL) based biocomposites were produced using PCL, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Starch mixture and polyethylene (PE) as a polymeric matrix and Turkish Red Pine Pruning waste flours (RPWF) a lignocellulosic filler. Biocomposites were manufactured through combination of extruder and injection molding processes. Forest soil was collected from arid regions of Konya and transferred to Laboratory. During 18 Months of soil test, degradation of PCL was monitored using Gel Permeative Chromatography (GPC) . Results showed major factor on GPC results were RPWF and degradation time. Especially at higher level of lignocellulosic filler use, there is a linear relation between filler and degradation time.