Which synthetic copolymer is widely utilized in medical orthopedics and controlled drug-release capsules as an environmentally safe biodegradable aliphatic polyester?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. PHBV (Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-co-β-hydroxyvalerate)
- Step 1: Non-biodegradable synthetic polymers pose severe environmental waste-disposal hazards.
- Step 2: Biodegradable polymers contain functional groups (esters or amides) that are readily cleaved by environmental microbial enzymes.
- Step 3: PHBV is a biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymerized from two monomers: 3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 3-hydroxypentanoic acid.
- Step 4: In PHBV, ester linkages undergo bacterial enzymatic degradation in soil and in the human body, making it ideal for specialty packaging, orthopedic surgical pins, and controlled-release drug capsules.
Answer
PHBV (Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-co-β-hydroxyvalerate)
Why not the others: 'Bakelite', 'Melamine-formaldehyde resin', and 'Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)' are highly persistent, non-biodegradable synthetic polymers.
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