Polymeric waste is accumulating in varying environments globally. This is a result of two main contributing factors - high mass production of polymers and the low degradability of polymers. There are multiple mechanisms for polymers to degrade including a biological way, with the use of microorganisms in the process of biodegradation. Polymer degradability is heavily influenced by the structure of the monomer unit, the building blocks of the polymer. This research focuses on biodegradation study, by investigating the monomer units’ molecular structure and its relationship with biodegradability. With the use of combined experimental and computational study, applying machine learning-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) methodology, a predictive model has been developed for biodegradation of monomers assessment. Concurrently, further experimental data collection is underway for the development of a predictive model for polymers undergoing biodegradation.

Predicting the biodegradation of monomers in soil and wastewater environments: Experiment and QSAR modeling

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.