@article { ISI:000229103900028,
	title = {Degradability of composites, prepared from ethylene-propylene copolymer and jute fiber under accelerated aging and biotic environments},
	journal = {Materials Chemistry and Physics},
	volume = {92},
	number = {2-3},
	year = {2005},
	month = {AUG},
	pages = {458-469},
	publisher = {ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA},
	type = {Article},
	address = {PO BOX 564, 1001 LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND},
	abstract = {<p>The utilization of natural fiber as reinforcement for the thermoplastic composites is growing not only for ecological concern but also for wide range of applications. In the present article, three types of composites were prepared by melt mixing of ethyl ene-propylene (EP) copolymer and (i) 3\% NaOH treated jute fiber, (ii) 17.5\% NaOH treated jute fiber and (iii) commercial microcrystalline cellulose powder using maleated EP copolymer as compatibilizer. The obtained composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and microscopic measurements. The durability of the composites was evaluated under polychromatic irradiation (λ \&amp;GE; 290 nm) and composting condition for different time intervals. It was found that the treatments on the natural fiber have influenced the service life of the end product. Composites made from microcrystalline cellulose showed better mechanical properties as well as photo-resistance. The specimen containing 3\% NaOH treated fiber exhibited relatively lowest photo-resistance and biosusceptibility. It was found that the composites were less durable under both abiotic and biotic conditions in comparison of the neat polymer matrix. {\textcopyright} 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p>},
	keywords = {accelerated aging and composting, composites, ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers, jute fibers, mechanical properties, microcystalline cellulose powder},
	issn = {0254-0584},
	doi = {10.1016/j.matchemphys.2005.01.027},
	author = {Kumar, AP and Singh, RP and Sarwade, BD}
}
@article { ISI:000232341100013,
	title = {Synthesis and biodegradability of polyaspartic acid: a critical review},
	journal = {Journal of Macromolecular Science-Pure and Applied Chemistry},
	volume = {A42},
	number = {9},
	year = {2005},
	month = {SEP},
	pages = {1299-1315},
	publisher = {TAYLOR \& FRANCIS INC},
	type = {Article},
	address = {325 CHESTNUT ST, SUITE 800, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 USA},
	abstract = {<p>Poly(aspartic acid) (PAA) being biodegradable is suitable for various industrial medical and agricultural applications to replace many non-biodegradable polymers in use. Poly(aspartic acid) can be synthesized by different methods with and without catalyst in different forms such as polysuccinimide, either hydrolyzed to acid or salt. The polymer of (aspartic acid) is present in different forms such as alpha, beta and L, D isomers. The conformational analysis of poly(aspartic acid) was done by various analytical methods. Different combinations of these two isomer present in different percentage can be detected by various methods such as Hoffman degradation, IR, and NMR spectroscopic analysis. From the standard test for biodegrad ability, it was shown that the polymer is fully biodegradable. In this review, synthesis and characterization of homo and copolymer derivatives of PAA, along with the application and biodegradability in comparison with the other polymer in use, is discussed briefly.</p>},
	keywords = {Biodegradation, poly(aspartic acid), Polycondensation, polysuccinimide, synthesis, thermal},
	issn = {1060-1325},
	doi = {10.1080/10601320500189604},
	author = {Thombre, SM and Sarwade, BD}
}
