Microwave-assisted synthesis of biodegradable interpenetrating polymer network of aloe vera–poly(acrylic acid-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-acrylamide) for removal of malachite green dye: equilibrium,kinetics and thermodynamic studies

The present work deals with the synthesis of a biodegradable interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) consisting of natural polysaccharide aloe vera, acrylamide and acrylic acid. Biodegradability of the synthesized IPN was studied through soil burial and composting methods. The synthesized IPN was completely degraded within 70 days through the composting method and showed 91% degradation within 77 days through the soil burial method. Evidence of biodegradation of the synthesized IPN was studied by different techniques, for instance Fourier infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The synthesized IPN was used as a device for the removal of malachite green dye. The effect of different reaction parameters on IPN synthesis and dye removal was investigated. The maximum dye adsorption occurred at pH 4.5, because at this pH methylene green dye molecules are present in monomeric state. The result of Weber–Morris intra-particle diffusion showed that the rate-limiting step was not the intra-particle diffusion. The adsorption isotherm models, i.e., Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Temkin, Redlich–Peterson and Sips, were studied and it was found that the Langmuir was the best-fitting model for the experimental data. An increase in temperature resulted in a decrease in malachite green dye removal, suggesting that the adsorption process was exothermic in nature. This synthesis is important from industrial viewpoints.     

Compostable composites of wheat stalk micro- and nanocrystalline cellulose and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate): Surface properties and degradation behavior

An agricultural waste, the wheat stalk, was used for the extraction of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) via a series of thermochemical and mechanical treatments. The MCC and NCC were then compounded with the biodegradable polymer, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), PBAT, by melt mixing. The properties of the composites were evaluated by soil composting, contact angle and water absorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The cellulosic filler was found, as per SEM results, to uniformly disperse in the polymer matrix forming a quite homogeneous composite which visibly degraded completely within a few months under soil composting and showed high water absorption, these properties being enhanced with the filler content. Compared to the neat PBAT, the composites showed enhanced surface hydrophilicity thereby increasing the ability of degradation. In spite of seemingly remarkable change in mechanical stability of the polymers under soil burial for several months, relatively low lowering of the molecular weight was observed. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48149.     

Synthesis and characterization of bio‐based PA/EP interpenetrating network polymer as coating material for controlled release fertilizers

A novel controlled release fertilizer was developed using interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) as the coating material. The IPN was successfully sprayed on the surface of the urea particles to form IPN‐coated fertilizers (IPNCU) for controlled nitrogen release. The IPN was synthesized by bio‐based polyamide (PA) from d ‐glucaric acid and epoxy (EP) through network interpenetrating. The chemical structure and microscopic morphology characteristics of IPN were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy. The property of IPN with the different PA/EP mass ratios were investigated and compared with that of EP‐coated fertilizers (EPCU). The nutrient release behaviors of IPNCU in water and soil were detected. The results showed that the IPNCU with 5% PA content increased the nitrogen release longevity by 41 days, raised the water contact angle of surface by 23.9°, and then significantly slowed the nitrogen release rate of the IPNCU. The nutrient release mechanism of IPNCU was discussed in detail. This work indicated that the environment‐friendly IPN with superior controlled release properties could be especially useful in horticultural and agricultural applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46052.     

Biodegradation of mulch films from poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate), carnauba wax,and sugarcane residue

Plastic mulching for agricultural purposes is a technique which began in the last century and since then its use has been perfected. The fragments of some large-scale mulch films used may accumulate in the soil, release toxic substances, and affect soil microbial activity. The environmental problems generated by fragments of plastic films accumulated in soil have prompted the development and large-scale use of biodegradable plastic mulch films. The aim of this work is to develop biodegradable plastic mulch films from poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT), sugarcane residue, and carnauba wax and to evaluate its biodegradation when buried in soil. The films, obtained by flat extrusion, contained 2.5 and 5.0% sugarcane residue and 0 and 2.0% carnauba wax. Their biodegradation after burial in soil was monitored by mass loss, visual inspection, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our data show biodegradation in soil to increase with sugarcane residue content and to be independent on carnauba wax addition. This behavior, confirmed by visual inspection, FTIR and SEM images, was associated with the biodegradability of lignocellulosic residues as microorganisms tend to attack this component first, thus eroding fiber/matrix interface and facilitating bio disintegration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48240.     

Hydrolyzed soy protein isolates modified urea–formaldehyde resins as adhesives and its biodegradability

The hydrolytes soy protein isolates (HSPI)-modified urea–formaldehyde (UF) resins were synthesized via copolymerization process. The best bonding strength is 1.50 MPa and improves 51.5% compared with pure UF. In addition, the formaldehyde emission decreased. The effect of (HSPI) on the biodegradable (UF) resins was investigated. Biodegradation was evaluated by composting under controlled conditions in accordance with ISO 14855. The faster degradation rate was obtained when lower hydrolysis degree of HSPI was added into the system. Characterization of the resulting samples was performed by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, XRD, scanning electron microscopy, and AFM. The results showed that no evidence of biodegradation was found for UF resins. The UF modified with lower hydrolysis degree of hydrolytes soy protein isolates (HSPI) resulted in a faster degradation rate. The HSPI in the network of modified UF degraded first, which resulted in the broken of the network of HSPI-modified UF resins. The thermal stability of degraded resins was found to be enhanced as the mineralization time increased. Not only the surface of the sample was degraded, but also the crystalline regions of the samples were also decomposed. The degradation on the modified UF surface occurs mainly via the formation of holes. The roughness of the degraded surfaces of modified UF resins increases with the hydrolysis degree of HSPI decreases. The presence of HSPI has driven the degradation of urea–formaldehyde. The modified resins used as adhesives in biodegradable seedling container can be seen as a controlled release source of nitrogen fertilizer.     

Biodegradable polymers based on renewable resources: Polyesters composed of 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydrohexitol and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid units

A series of polyesters was synthesized by the bulk polycondensations of the respective combinations of three stereoisomeric 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydrohexitols [1,4 : 3,6-dianhydro-D-glucitol ( 1 ), 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydro-D-mannitol ( 2 ), and 1,4 : 3,6-dianhydro-L-iditol ( 3 )] with succinyl dichloride ( 4a ), glutaryl dichloride ( 4b ), adipoyl dichloride ( 4c ), and sebacoyl dichloride ( 4d ). Biodegradability of these polyesters was investigated by three different methods, i.e., degradation in an activated sludge, soil burial degradation, and enzymatic degradation. Although polyesters ( 7b–7d ) based on 3 and polyester 6a derived from 2 and 4a were crystalline and scarcely biodegraded, all the other amorphous polyesters were more or less biodegradable. Biodegradability of the polyesters was found to vary significantly depending on their molecular structures. Soil burial degradation of polyesters in the soil that was treated with antibiotics, together with electron scanning microscopic observation, showed that polyesters 5b and 5c prepared from 1 and 4b or 4c were degraded by both bacteria and filamentous fungi, whereas polyester 5d from 1 and 4d was degraded primarily by filamentous fungi. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and characterization of a positive thermoresponsive hydrogel for drug loading and release

A positive thermoresponsive hydrogel composed of poly(acrylic acid)‐graft‐β‐cyclodextrin (PAAc‐g‐β‐CD) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) was synthesized with the sequential interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) method for the purpose of improving its loading and release of drugs. The structure and properties of the PAAc‐g‐β‐CD/PAAm hydrogel (IPN hydrogel) were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and swelling measurements. FTIR studies showed that the IPN hydrogel was primarily composed of an IPN of PAAc‐g‐β‐CD and PAAm. The data from DSC and swelling measurements indicated that the phase‐transition temperature or upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of the IPN hydrogel was approximately 35°C. Through the measurement of the temperature dependence of the swelling, increases in the UCST and non‐sensitivity to changes in the salt concentration were observed for the IPN hydrogel versus the normal IPN hydrogel poly(acrylic acid)/PAAm (without β‐cyclodextrin). Furthermore, the swelling/deswelling kinetics of the IPN hydrogel also exhibited an improved controllable response rate versus the normal IPN hydrogel. Ibuprofen (IBU) was chosen as the model drug for examining loading and release from the IPN hydrogel. The experimental data proved that the IPN hydrogel provided a positive drug release pattern; the IBU released faster at 37°C than at 25°C, and improved drug loading and controlled release were achieved by the IPN hydrogel versus the normal IPN hydrogel. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and Swelling Study of a pH-Dependent Interpolymeric Hydrogel Based on Chitosan for Controlled Drug Release

Novel pH-dependent, biodegradable interpolymeric network (IPN) hydrogels were prepared for controlled drug release investigations. The IPN hydrogels were prepared by irradiation of solutions of N-acryloyglycine (NAGly), polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) mixed with chitosan, in the presence of a lower amount of glutaraldehyde as the crosslinker and using 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl acetophenone as the photo-initiator. The equilibrium swelling studies were carried out for the gels at 37°C in buffer solutions of pH 2.1 and 7.4 (simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, respectively). 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was entrapped, as a model therapeutic agent, in the hydrogels and equilibrium-swelling studies were carried out for the drug-entrapped gels at 37°C. The in-vitro release profiles of the drug were established at 37°C in pH 2.1 and 7.4.     

Evaluation of flocculation characteristics and biodegradation studies of reduced gum rosin and psyllium-based hydrogel

Present study explored the swelling behavior, biodegradability and flocculation efficiency of hydrogel polymer based on renewable backbones-psyllium and gum rosin. Swelling studies revealed that the polymer sample exhibit pH and temperature-dependent swelling behavior. The polymer sample was assessed for its flocculation efficiency by optimizing the process parameters such as polymer dose, pH, and temperature. The polymer sample illustrated the maximum flocculation efficiency of 96% in 500 mg/L kaolin suspension under optimized experimental conditions. Investigation of biodegradation behavior was carried out using the soil burial and composting method. The percentage degradation of the polymer sample was observed to be 86.8% and 90.4% in 63 days using soil burial and composting method, respectively. The progress of biodegradation was analyzed through Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Thus, the polymer sample was found to be cost effective, eco-friendly, biodegradable material that has significant flocculation characteristics, and hence can be utilized for treatment of kaolinated wastewater.     

Adsorption and recovery of nonionic polymers by neutralization of cellulose fiber surface charge via cationic polyamide‐epichlorohydrin resins

Gelatin‐based graft copolymers of polypropylene (PP), has been synthesized by chemical method using benzoyl peroxide (BPO), as radical initiator. Biodegradation studies of pristine PP and PP‐g‐Gelatin have been carried out by soil burial test in simple soil and soil enriched with nitrogenous content by adding urea. The microbial degradation was substantiated by the direct attack of the microbes on the grafted samples. The rate of degradation by the direct attack was fast in comparison to the degradation in soil burial studies. The biochemical tests performed on the organisms isolated from the soil, identified these organisms as Bacillus circulans, Kurthia gibsonii, and Flavobacterium sp. which helped biodegradation of PP‐g‐Gelatin samples. The degradation of the grafted samples was further confirmed by carrying out the physical characterization of the original samples and the degraded samples by SEM, XRD, and TGA. The XRD and thermal data indicate an increase in the crystallinity of the degraded samples. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Studies on preparation and swelling properties of the N-isopropylacrylamide/chitosan semi-IPN and IPN hydrogels

Semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) polymer gels and interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer gels with thermosensitivity were prepared by introducing a biodegradable polymer, chitosan, into the N-isopropyacrylamide (PNIPAAm) gel system. The swelling behavior, temperature sensitivity, pH sensitivity, gel strength, and drug-release behavior of PNIPAAm/chitosan semi-IPN and IPN hydrogels were investigated. The results indicated that the NIPAAm/chitosan semi-IPN and IPN hydrogels exhibited pH and temperature-sensitivity behavior and could slow drug release and diffusion from the gels. From the stress–strain curves of the hydrogels, the compression moduli of IPN gels containing crosslinked chitosan were higher than those of semi-IPN gels. This is because IPN gels have a more compact structure. The morphology of PNIPAAm/chitosan hydrogels was also investigated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2487–2496, 2001     

Synthesis of a cellulose‐based hydrogel network: Characterization and study of urea fertilizer slow release

In the present study, we synthesized a low‐cost biodegradable hydrogel based on cellulose in order to perform controlled release of fertilizer. For this purpose, the cellulose was modified and crosslinked with urea. Then the prepared hydrogel underwent loading with the fertilizer in order to study the controlled release. Characterization of the samples was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrogel showed a good swelling behavior in distilled water, tap water, and 0.9% NaCl solution. Besides, water holding and water retention behavior of the hydrogel was investigated. Finally, the release of fertilizer from the loaded hydrogel was studied and showed excellent controlled release. According to the results, this hydrogel can be employed as a suitable moisture‐holding additive in the soil for agricultural purposes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42935.     

Assessing the influence of cotton fibers on the degradation in soil of a thermoplastic starch‐based biopolymer

Biocomposites consisting of cotton fibers and a commercial starch‐based thermoplastic were subjected to accelerated soil burial test. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry analysis was carried out to provide chemical–structural information of the polymeric matrix and its reinforced biocomposites. The effects that take place as a consequence of the degradation in soil of both materials were studied by FTIR‐ATR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). When the polymeric matrix and the reinforced biocomposite are submitted to soil burial test, the infrared studies display a decrease in the CO band associated to the ester group of the synthetic component as a consequence of its degradation. The crystalline index of both materials decreased as a function of the degradation process, where the crystalline structure of the reinforced biocomposite was the most affected. In accordance, the degraded reinforced biocomposite micrographs displayed a more damaged morphology and fracture surface than the degraded polymeric matrix micrographs. On the other hand, the same thermal decomposition regions were assessed for both materials, regardless of the degradation time. Kissinger, Criado, and Coats‐Redfern methods were applied to analyze the thermogravimetric results. The kinetic triplet of each thermal decomposition process was determined for monitoring the degradation test. The thermal study confirms that starch was the most biodegradable polymeric matrix component in soil. However, the presence of cotton fiber modified the degradation rate of both matrix components; the degradability in soil of the synthetic component was slightly enhanced, whereas the biodegradation rate of the starch slowed down as a function of the soil exposure time. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:2102–2111, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Degradation in soil behavior of artificially aged polyethylene films with pro‐oxidants

Bio‐based, biodegradable in soil, as well as degradable polyethylene mulching films with pro‐oxidants, have been introduced in the market in an effort to deal with the serious problem of managing plastic waste streams generated from conventional mulching films. In a previous experimental investigation, a series of naturally degraded under water melon cultivation conditions linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) mulching films with pro‐oxidants, buried in the field for 8.5 years, were recovered intact even though undergoing a continuous slow abiotic degradation in soil. The aim of the present article was to simulate the behavior of the LLDPE mulching films with pro‐oxidants under a much longer time‐scale (e.g. some decades). Toward this purpose, samples of LLDPE with pro‐oxidants film were artificially degraded to simulate severe degradation/fragmentation of these films while been buried in the soil for many years, following the end of the cultivation season. Further degradation of these severely degraded samples was investigated by burying them in the soil over a period of seven years. During this burial period, all degradation parameters and their evolution with time were measured. The artificially degraded LLDPE film samples with pro‐oxidants, in contrast to the naturally degraded film that remained intact for 8.5 years, were gradually transformed into tiny micro‐fragments in the soil. These fragments, through a continuing abiotic degradation process under natural soil conditions are eventually transformed into invisible micro‐fragments. The fate of these micro‐fragments and their long‐term impact to the environment and human health is unpredictable. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42289.     

Mechanical and biodegradation properties of bamboo fiber-reinforced starch/polypropylene biodegradable composites

Bamboo fiber (BF)-reinforced starch/polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by extrusion and injection molding methods. The mechanical and thermal properties and water absorption were evaluated by different methods. Moreover, composite samples were subjected to biodegradation through soil burial test and microbes medium degradation. Different stages of biodegradation were investigated by weight loss, attenuated total reflection Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, and scanning electron microscope. It was found that contents of BF and starch resin had a significant influence on the properties of the composites. With more content of BF, the composite exhibited a better flexural property and biodegradation. A distinct decrease of weight loss and mechanical properties indicated the degradation caused by the microbes. After biodegradation, thermal stability of the composites decreased while the crystallinity of PP increased. The results prove that the composites more easily tend to be degraded and assimilated by microbes. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 137, 48694.     

Environmental usefulness of PLA/PEG blends for controlled-release systems of soil-applied herbicides

Blends consisting of biodegradable polylactide (PLA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were investigated for their usefulness as an environmentally friendly herbicide formulation with prolonged activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the release rate of selected soil-applied herbicides from the PLA/PEG blend containing PEG of various molecular weights and to assess the phytotoxicity of the PEGs according to OECD 208 guidelines. The release rate of immobilized herbicides was correlated with degradation of the blends used. The progress of PLA/PEG blend degradation in water, soil, and activated sludge was estimated by sample weight loss, changes in blend composition, and microscopic observations of the blend surfaces during the experiment. The proposed formulation of the immobilized herbicide in a blend consisting of slowly biodegradable PLA and water-soluble PEG provides the possibility to release the herbicides for a relatively long time, for approximately six months, which is a demand of weed management. The effect of PEGs on plant growth and development was dependent on both their concentration and molecular weight. With a higher concentration in soil and a higher molecular weight of PEG, a more harmful effect on plants was noticed. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47856.     

Synthesis, characterization and biodegradation studies of poly(ester urethane)s

Bis-isocyanoto polyester was synthesized by the polymerization of PPSe with MDI and reacted with 1,3-propanediol chain extender to obtain poly(ester urethane)s. The effect of chain extender and PPSe content in polyurethane was investigated. The polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, FT-IR, viscosity measurement, TGA and XRD. Their biodegradability was investigated by the hydrolytic degradation in NaOH solution (3% and 10%); enzymatic degradation by Rhizopus delemar lipase and soil burial degradation using garden-composted soil. Furthermore, the degraded film was characterized by molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, DSC, XRD, FT-IR and surface morphology by SEM. The biodegradation study revealed that hydrolysis and soil burial degradation affected morphology of the PEUs. Hydrophobicity and hard segment seem to resist the hydrolytic and enzymatic degradability of PEU. Hydrolytic degradation was very rapid in 3% and 10% NaOH solutions at 37 °C, within 2 days 20% weight loss was observed. PEUs showed a much slower degradation rate under the R. delemar lipase at 37 °C. Experimental data showed that as soft segment increases biodegradation rate decreased. A significant rate of degradation was occurred in all PEU samples under soil burial condition. Surface morphology, which interconnected to good adhesion of bacteria on polymer surface, is considered to be a factor sensible for the biodegradation rate under soil burial condition.     

p(AAm/TA)‐based IPN hydrogel films with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties for biomedical applications

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN), either semi‐IPN (s‐IPN) or full IPN, based on a natural polymer tannic acid (TA) and synthetic poly(acrylamide) (p(AAm)) were prepared by incorporation of TA during p(AAm) hydrogel film preparation with and without crosslinking of TA simultaneously. The synthesis of p(AAm/TA) s‐IPN and IPN hydrogels with different amounts of TA were prepared by concurrent use of redox polymerization and epoxy crosslinking. The p(AAm)‐based hydrogels were completely degraded at 37.5°C within 9 and 2 days at pHs 7.4 and 9, respectively. Biocompatibility of p(AAm), s‐IPN, and IPN were tested with WST assay and double staining, they had 75% cell viability up to almost 20 μg mL^?1 concentration against L929 fibroblast cell. Antioxidant properties of IPN and s‐IPN hydrogels were investigated with FC and ABTS^? methods. Antimicrobial properties of TA‐containing s‐IPN, and IPN hydrogels were determined against three common bacterial strains, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, and it was found that p(AAm/TA)‐based s‐IPN and IPN hydrogels are effective antimicrobial and antioxidant materials. Moreover, almost up to day‐long linear TA release profiles were obtained from IPN and s‐IPN hydrogels in phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4 at 37.5°C. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41876.     

Preparation and characterization of nanostructured and high transparent hydrogel films with pH sensitivity and application

Novel nanostructured, high transparent, and pH sensitive poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐methacryliac acid)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (P(HEMA‐co‐MA)/PVA) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel films were prepared by precipitation copolymerization of aqueous phase and sequential IPN technology. The first P(HEMA‐co‐MA) network was synthesized in aqueous solution of PVA, then followed by aldol condensation reaction, it formed multiple IPN nanostructured hydrogel film. The film samples were characterized by IR, SEM, DSC, and UV‐vis spectrum. The transmittance arrived at 93%. Swelling and deswelling behaviors showed the multiple IPN nanostuctured film had rapid response. The mechanical properties of all the IPN films improved than that of PVA film. Using crystal violet as a model drug, the release behaviors of the films were studied. The results showed that compared with PVA, which had low drug loading and exhibited high and burst release, the three IPN films had high drug loading and exhibited sustained release. Besides, the release followed different release mechanism at pH = 4.0 and pH = 7.4, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

The influence of surface structure of low industrial grade seaweed and semi‐refined carrageenan on mechanical and physical properties of natural rubber latex composites

Composites consisting of natural rubber (NR) latex as their matrix and low industrial grade seaweed (LIGS) and its extractive (semirefined carrageenan, SRC‐LIGS) as the filler were prepared via normal prevulcanization process. An analysis regarding the particle size and morphology of seaweed (LIGS and SRC‐LIGS), as well as surface properties and mechanical properties (tensile and tear properties) of NR latex composites, was consequently generated. Furthermore, post‐processing treatment for NR latex composites have also been studied, specifically involving leaching, heat aging, water absorption, and soil burial. The particle size of LIGS and SRC‐LIGS obtained was recorded to be lower than 100 μm. Thus, the results are indicative of SRC‐LIGS's role in improving the thermal properties of NR latex composites. After 8 weeks of soil burial, the incorporation of LIGS and SRC‐LIGS into the NR latex composites has accelerated biodegradation processes, thus highlighting their advantage as biodegradable fillers. These properties have consequently contributed to SRC‐LIGS/NR latex composites as a potential composite for use in biodegradable applications, such as polybag for pottery and plants. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:278–286, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers