Esse projeto visa a melhoria das propriedades mecânicas e de processabilidade do Poli(3-hidroxibutirato) (PHB) para futuras aplicações. Foram preparados filmes de blendas de PHB por dissolução em clorofórmio. Poli(etileno glicol), com massa molar de 300 (PEG) ou 4.000.000 g mol-1 (PEO), foi misturado em proporções de 5 a 30 % em massa e análises termogravimétricas (TG), de calorimetria diferencial exploratória (DSC) e ensaios dinâmico-mecânicos (DMTA) foram realizadas para avaliar a miscibilidade da blenda. Foram também analisados filmes recém-preparados e filmes envelhecidos, para avaliar o avanço da cristalização e consequente alteração das propriedades dos filmes com o passar do tempo. Para isso foram feitas comparações visuais de imagens microscópicas da morfologia das blendas, obtidas através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As blendas foram analisadas quanto ao grau de cristalinidade através de análise calorimétrica (DSC) e de difratometria de raio-X. As curvas de DSC mostram uma redução da Tm do PHB com a adição de PEG e PEO, o que indica uma forte interação entre os polímeros. As análises de TG mostram uma etapa principal de degradação, evidenciando a miscibilidade entre os polímeros. A TG também mostra uma sensível redução na temperatura de degradação do PHB para concentrações acima de 10 % em PEG, o que é indesejável. Através do MEV nota-se que existe também uma segregação de fases que aumenta com o tempo de estocagem do material, levando à recristalização do PHB e sua consequente fragilização. A difração de raios-X nos mostra que a adição de PEG e PEO ao PHB traz uma redução considerável para a cristalinidade do sistema, e que o aumento de 5 % para 30 % no teor de PEG é responsável por apenas uma pequena redução na cristalinidade, mas uma considerável redução na recristalização sofrida pela blenda com o tempo de estocagem. As análises de DMTA mostram que as blendas possuem módulo de armazenamento similar ao de polímeros flexíveis, evidenciando uma efetiva tenacificação do PHB. Amostras utilizando PEO apresentam maior rigidez do que as amostras contendo PEG. / This project aims the enhancement of both processability and mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) for future applications. Films of blends of PHB and poly(ethylene oxide) were prepared by chloroform solution casting and evaporation. Poly(ethylene oxide) having molar mass of 4,000,000 (PEO) or 300 g.mol-1 (PEG) was blended in proportion of 5 to 30 wt %, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic-Mechanic Analysis (DMTA) were performed in order to evaluate the miscibility of the blends. As-cast and aged films were also compared in order to analyze the crystallization progress and the consequent changes in the blends properties due to the aging process. For this, visual comparison was drawn between microscopy pictures obtained through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The blends have their crystallinity degree determined by analyzing their X-ray diffraction curves. The DSC curves show a reduction at the PHBs Tm as the mass percentage of PEG increases, indicating a strong interaction in between the polymers. The TG and DTG analyses reveal a single main degradation step, what denotes miscibility in between the polymers. The TG also shows a considerable reduction of the PHBs degrading temperature for PEG concentrations over 10 %, which is undesirable. Through SEM one can note a phase segregation that increases with storaging time, leading to further crystallization of PHB and its subsequent enbrittlement. The X-ray diffraction curves show that the PEG and PEO bring a considerable crystallinity reduction to the system, and that the increasing of PEG content from 5 to 30% has only a minor effect per se, though also a considerable reduction of the perfection undergone by the system with storage time. The DMTA shows that the blends have a storage modulus similar to the one of flexible polimers, hence showing an effective PHB toughening. Samples containing PEO are more rigid than those containing PEG.

Neste trabalho, desenvolvemos blendas de polímeros biodegradáveis e polímeros condutores com objetivo de avaliar o potencial destes materiais para uso em aplicações biomédicas. O polímero condutor polipirrol (PPY) e os polímeros biodegradáveis poli(-caprolactona) (PCL) e poli(3-hidróxido de butirato) (P3HB) foram escolhidos devido à comprovada biocompatibilidade apresentada por cada um destes três polímeros. O PPY foi sintetizado via polimerização em emulsão, utilizando-se o dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) como surfactante e o FeCl3 como oxidante e dopante. A morfologia do polímero obtido foi estudada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. O PPY se apresentou como agregado de partículas aproximadamente esféricas, com dimensões da ordem de 80 a 200nm. Verificamos que ocorre uma redução significativa do tamanho das partículas formadas, proporcionalmente ao aumento da concentração de SDS. Os ensaios de microanálise por energia dispersiva (EDS) e de espectroscopia de absorção no infravermelho (FTIR) demonstraram a incorporação de SDS ao PPY, o SDS atuando como contra-íon deste polímero. Isto está de acordo com os resultados de condutividade elétrica obtidos para o polímero sintetizado sem o SDS (1.9S/cm) e com 100mM de SDS (23.3S/cm). A seguir, foram preparadas as blendas, dispersando-se as partículas de PPY em matrizes poliméricas de PCL ou de P3HB, sendo a morfologia destas blendas estudada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Em blendas de PCL, as partículas de PPY localizam-se principalmente entre os esferulitos da matriz, devido ao processo de cristalização da PCL. Diferentemente, nas blendas de P3HB estas partículas agruparam-se em várias regiões, e não foram localizadas na superfície dos filmes produzidos. A condutividade elétrica obtida para as blendas de PCL e de P3HB, ambas contendo 15% de PPY, foi respectivamente, 20.8mS/cm e 5.5mS/cm. Esta diferença de valores encontrada, parece estar relacionada à formação de uma rede de partículas de PPY na matriz de PCL. Medidas do ângulo de contato da superfície das blendas de PCL e de P3HB mostraram que elas se tornam progressivamente mais hidrofílicas com o aumento da proporção de PPY. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho indicam que estas blendas podem ser biocompatíveis, justificando o prosseguimento de novos estudos envolvendo métodos de ensaio in vivo, para uma avaliação mais adequada. / Polymers blends making use of two biodegradable polymers, and a conductive one, were synthesized and characterized in the laboratory, aiming at the development of a new material that would combine adequate properties of biodegradability and electrical conductivity. As such, these blends would be suitable for making special devices to be used in biomedical applications. The well known conducting polymer polypyrrole (PPY), was synthesized, then blended with either poly(-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB), both biodegradable, therefore biocompatible, polymers. PPY particles were obtained along the polymerization route, in which SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) acted as a surfactant and FeCl3 as the oxidizing and dopant agent. The PPY samples were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as spherical particles having 80-200nm in diameter; it was found that final particle size was inversely related to the concentration of SDS used in the synthesis pathway. The particles were further characterized by energy dispersive microanalysis (EDS) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), to demonstrate incorporation of the SDS into the PPY. SDS actually behaves as a counterion of the polymer, according to electrical conductivity results of polymer synthesized without SDS (1.9S/cm) or with 100mM SDS (23.3S/cm). This PPY polymer was then blended with either PCL or PHB matrices. The microstructure of the two resulting blends, as investigated by scanning electron microscopy demonstrates PPY particles mostly located within the interstices of spherulites in the PCL blends, whereas in P3HB blends, they formed irregular patches along the matrix. Electrical conductivity for blends containing 15% PPY were: 20.8mS/cm for PCL blends and 5.5mS/cm for P3HB blends. It can be concluded therefore, that these different values obtained for electrical conductivity were related to the particle distribution within the two matrices. Also, hydrophilic properties of the two blends, according to contact angle measurements, seem to correspond to the content of PPY.

Orientadores: Lucia Helena Innocentini Mei, Nelson Eduardo Duran Caballero / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T06:47:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cordi_Livia_M.pdf: 21857462 bytes, checksum: 3e42c7ea2ad32da6e7427d4169ca05d6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Imensurável é a quantidade de resíduos plásticos descartados no meio ambiente e o crescente desequilíbrio do mesmo. Esta situação leva ao desenvolvimento de novas formulações plásticas que sejam resistentes e funcionais enquanto em uso, mas que após o período de interesse sejam degradados no menor período de tempo possível. Com o intuito de minimizarmos as quantidades de polímeros descartados no meio ambiente, dentro de uma perspectiva de desenvolvimento sustentável e diminuindo a poluição ambiental, estudamos a aplicação de fungos e bactérias isolados de solo para reduzir o tempo de degradação de polímeros considerados biodegradáveis. Para isto, foi preparada e caracterizada uma blenda composta por Poli (e- caprolactona) e Amido de milho adipatado e também um compósito de Poli (e- caprolactona), Amido de milho adipatado e pó de fibra de coco, visando assim obter um material com alta taxa de biodegradação. A caracterização e o acompanhamento da biodegradação do filme de PCL, da blenda PCL/amido e do compósito PCL/amido/fibra de coco foi feita por Análise Visual, Perda de Massa, Espectroscopia no Infra-Vermelho Próximo (NIR), Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA), Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Microscopia de Força Atômica (AFM) e Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA). Os resultados obtidos pela biodegradação promovida por bactérias extraídas de solo foram de 54% de perda de massa para a blenda de PCL/amido e de 47% para o filme de PCL em 100 dias. A taxa de biodegradação para o PCL, independente do fungo utilizado é muito baixa para o período de 60 dias, não superando os 5% de perda de massa. O fungo F. moniliforme reduziu a massa da blenda PCL/amido em 22,5% no mesmo período em que a espécie F. oxysporum não apresentou mais que 10% de perda de massa para o mesmo material. Para a biodegradação dos compósitos PCL/amido/fibra de coco os resultados de perda de massa indicam que o aumento da porcentagem de fibra de coco leva a um aumento da biodegradação. / Abstract: Hugh amount of plastic waste is discarded in the environment causing a growing imbalance. This situation leads to the development of new resistant and functional plastic materials to last during their useful life and biodegrade after it, in a short period of time. In order to minimize the quantity of polymers discarded in the environment, within a perspective of sustainable development and reducing environmental pollution, we studied the application of fungi and bacteria isolated from soil to reduce the time of degradation of polymers considered biodegradable. For this, a blend composed of Poly (e-caprolactone) and maize starch adipate and also a composite of Poly (e-caprolactone/maize starch adipate/powder fibers from coconut has been prepared and characterized, seeking thereby to obtain a material with a high rate of biodegradation. The characterization and monitoring of the degradation of the PCL film, the PCL/starch blend and the composite PCL/starch/coconut fiber was made by Visual Analysis, Mass Loss, Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy(NIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA ), Electronic Scanning Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The results obtained in 100 days for the biodegradation promoted by bacteria isolated from soil were 54% of weight loss for PCL/starch blend and 47% of weight loss for PCL film. The rate of biodegradation for the PCL, regardless of the fungus used is very low for the period of 60 days, not exceeding 5% of the weight loss. The fungus F. Moniliforme reduced the mass of PCL / starch blend to 22.5% in the same period in which the species F. oxysporum not presented more than 10% of weight loss for the same material. For the biodegradation of PCL / starch / coconut fiber composites, the results of weight loss indicate that the increase in the percentage of coconut fiber leads to an increase in the degradation rate. / Mestrado / Ciencia e Tecnologia de Materiais / Mestre em Engenharia Química

Certains polymères synthétiques biodégradables ont montré des propriétés physico-chimiques aussi intéressantes que celles des plastiques issus du pétrole. Cependant, leur coût élevé dû au prix des matières premières ainsi qu’au faible nombre de voies de synthèse efficaces empêchent leur rentabilité. Une des alternatives serait le développement de méthodes de production viables économiquement par l’utilisation de catalyseurs productifs et de voies de synthèses à économie d’atomes. Ce manuscrit rassemble les travaux effectués durant la thèse sur une série de catalyseurs organométalliques hautement actifs pour la synthèse du poly(lactide), de nouvelles stratégies catalytiques pour la production du poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) et la polymérisation à économie d’atomes d’α-aminoacide-N-carboxyanhydrides pour la production de poly(α-peptides). / Many synthetic biodegradable polymers show competitive physical properties compared to petrochemically derived plastics. However, due to the low availability and high cost of renewable feed stocks or lack of efficient synthetic routes, their industrial production and successful commercial execution lacks economical feasibility. One way to improve the current situation is the implementation of cost efficient methods either by using productive catalysts or by atom-efficient synthetic methods. Here we report the discovery of a series of highly active organometallic catalysts for the synthesis of poly(lactide), new catalytic methodologies for the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and an atom-efficient polymerization of α-aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydrides to poly(α-peptides).

Předložená diplomová práce se zabývá přípravou biodegradabilního termosenzitivního triblokového kopolymeru na bázi polyethylenglykolu, kyseliny polymléčné a polyglykolové (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) a dále pak především jeho modifikací anhydridem kyseliny itakonové (ITA), který dodá kopolymeru jak reaktivní dvojné vazby tak i funkční karboxylové skupiny důležité pro reakci s biologicky aktivními látkami. Hlavním cílem bylo optimalizovat reakční podmínky pro dosažení nejvyššího stupně navázání ITA na polymer za vzniku ITA/PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ITA. Uvedený kopolymer je po vytvoření heterogenního kompozitu např. s hydroxyapatitem vhodný pro biomedicíncké aplikace především v oblasti tkáňového inženýrství jako dočasná náhrada či fixace tvrdých tkání (kostí). V teoretické části uvedené práce jsou na základě literární rešerše obecně popsány hydrogely, jejich rozdělení, síťování a degradace. Stručně jsou rozepsány fyzikální a chemické vlastnosti a syntéza jednotlivých biomateriálů použitých při syntéze, anhydridu kyseliny itakonové a jejich kopolymerů. Experimentální část popisuje detailně syntézu PLGA-PEG-PLGA kopolymeru polymerací za otevření kruhu pomocí vakuové linky a Schlenkových technik. Byla sledována i kinetika polymerace s navržením nejvhodnějších podmínek syntézy. Uvedený kopolymer byl následně modifikován anhydridem kyseliny itakonové opět katalytickou reakcí za otevření kruhu. V důsledku optimalizace reakčních podmínek byl sledován vliv teploty, rozpouštědla, času a čistoty vstupních látek. Výsledný ITA/PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ITA kopolymer byl charakterizován pomocí 1H NMR, FT-IR a GPC metody. Byly sledovány kinetiky polymerace PLGA-PEG-PLGA kopolymeru a to z přesublimované a nepřesublimované kyseliny polymléčné a polyglykolové. V obou případech probíhala kinetika reakcí bez přítomnosti rozpouštědla při 130 °C po dobu 3 hodin s konverzí asi 90 %. Delší čas neměl vliv na růst konverze. U kinetiky z nepřesublimovaných monomerů byl sledován během několika prvních minut prudký nárůst konverze a pak již byl průběh konstantní, na čase nezávislý. Výsledná polydisperzita kopolymeru byla 1,26 a molekulová hmotnost 7155 g/mol. Optimálních podmínek bylo dosaženo u polymerace z přesublimovaných monomerů, kdy byl nárůst konverze do hodnoty 88 % získané během 2,5 hodin téměř lineární (polymerace byla živá) a poté byl progres konstantní. Byl získán přesně definovaný PLGA-PEG-PLGA kopolymer o molekulové hmotnosti 7198 g/mol a polydisperzitě 1,20. Nejlepších podmínek při syntéze ITA/PLGA-PEG-PLGA/ITA kopolymeru bylo dosaženo reakcí bez přítomnosti rozpouštědla při 110 °C po dobu 1,5 hodiny s přesublimovaným anhydridem kyseliny itakonové, kdy bylo na původní kopolymer navázáno 76.6 mol. %. Výsledná molekulová hmotnost kopolymeru (5881 g/mol) s polydisperzitou 1,37 stanovená pomocí GPC se shodovala s vypočítanou molekulovou hmotností z 1H NMR i s teoretickou molární hmotností (Mn(teor)/Mn(GPC)/Mn(NMR) = 1/0,89/0,96).

No description available.

El propósito de la presente tesis doctoral es estudiar el efecto de la degradación térmica, biológica y fotolítica en la polilactida (PLA) para contribuir a la caracterización de este polímero biodegradable bajo diferentes condiciones o entornos. Este polímero procede de fuentes renovables y está considerado un excelente candidato para sustituir a otros materiales poliméricos con escasa degradabilidad. En este estudio se describen los mecanismos que regulan cada tipo de degradación y, lo que es más importante, cómo cada uno de ellos afecta a la variación de la masa molar del PLA. La monitorización del descenso de masa molar de polilactida se realizó tanto mediante Cromatografía de Permeación en Gel (GPC) como por Viscosimetría. Adicionalmente se utilizó la Espectroscopía Infrarroja con Transformada de Fourier (FTIR) para establecer los mecanismos que controlan la degradación y su efecto en la estructura química de la polilactida. Asimismo, se ha determinado el impacto de cada tipo de degradación en la morfología y en las propiedades térmicas y mecánicas del PLA. La Termogravimetría (TGA) permitió monitorizar los cambios en la estabilidad térmica del material debidos a los diferentes tipos degradación, ulilizando parámetros como la temperatura de máxima velocidad de degradación térmica o la energía de activación. El resultado de la bio y la foto degradación en la superficie del material fue evaluado mediante Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido (SEM), observándose únicamente cambios debidos a la degradación biológica. Las propiedades viscoelásticas y térmicas se analizaron mediante Análisis Dinámico-Mecánico-Térmico (DMTA), Calorimetría Diferencial de Barrido (DSC) y Microscopía Óptica (OM). Se ha obtenido que los parámetros más relevantes para discernir las diferencias entre los tres procesos de degradación son los relativos al fenómeno de cristalización. Los resultados muestran que cada degradación está controlada por un mecanismo que afecta de diferente forma a la / Santonja Blasco, L. (2012). Contribution to the study of thermal, biological and photo degradation of polylactide [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/16470

Regeneration, a spontaneous response of bones in response to injuries, infections and fractures, is severely compromised in certain clinical circumstances. Unfortunately, several shortcomings are associated with the current treatment of bone grafting method such as donor shortage and immune response for allografts and donor morbidity for autografts. Thus, the development of clinical alternates is essential. One promising adjunct method is bone tissue engineering that includes the implantation of a scaffold containing the cells with the supplementation of suitable growth factors. Among the various classes of materials, biodegradable polymers are commonly preferred because their use does not necessitate a secondary surgery for their removal after the intended use. Commercially available polymers such as poly (lactic- co- glycolic acid) and polycaprolactone are expensive and degrade slowly. This motivates the development of novel synthetic biodegradable polymers that are affordable and can be tuned to tailor for specific biomedical applications. The primary aim of this thesis is to synthesize effective biodegradable polymers for drug delivery and bone tissue engineering. The properties of these polymers such as modulus, hydrophobicity and crosslinking etc. were tailored based on the variations in chemical bonds, chain lengths and the molar stoichiometric ratios of the monomers for specific clinical applications. Based on the above variations, degradation and release kinetics were tuned. The cytocompatibilty properties for these polymers were studied and suitable mineralization studies were conducted to determine their potential for bone regeneration.

Biocomposites exhibit properties like many petrochemical-based polymers composites. They have the potentials be used in the automotive and decking industries and as biodegradable packaging. However, the high cost as well as, poor mechanical and thermal properties have restricted their widespread use. There are a number of technical issues that need to be addressed before bio-composites can be widely used. In this research Polylactic acid (PLA) composites, reinforced with natural fibres (wood, flax) and mineral fillers (talc) were investigated. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were studied by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Tensile Testing and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), while morphology and crystallization processes of the composites were studied by hot stage optical microscopy. The experimental results are also compared with different theoretical models of the response of the composites. PLA / wood composites were developed by mixing PLA with wood in different ratios using a melt compounding process. PLA/wood (90/10. 80/20, 60/40), PLA/wood/copolymers (85/10/05, 80/10/10, 75/20/05, 70/20/10, 55/40/05, 50/40/10) and PLA/wood/coupling agent (80/20/silane coating) were the three different composite systems that were developed. Adding increasing amount of wood into the PLA, the thermal properties remain unchanged but the mechanical properties increased significantly, bringing a stiffening effect to the composites. Tensile modulus increased from 4.1± 0.6 to 9.8 ± 1.2 (GPa) as the wood content increased from 0 to 40 (wt %), but the tensile strength at break reduced from 43.8 ± 3.1 to 31.8 ± 2.8 MPa. The experimental results of the PLA-wood composites were modelled according to the Halpin-Tsai equation. The addition of copolymer affected the thermal properties considerably by decreasing the glass transition temperature of the composite. The glass transition temperature dropped from 54 ± 0.7 (0C) to 48 ± 0.36 (0C) when the content of copolymer was increased from 0 to 10 (wt %). The cold crystallization temperature also decreased from 127 ± 1.41 (0C) to 103 ± 2.58 (0C) when the copolymer was incorporated into the PLA/wood composites. The significant aspect was the occurrence of a double peak in the melting endotherm. The degree of crystallinity also increased from 2 ± 0.83 (%) to 11 ± 1.23 (%) when the amount of copolymer was increased to 10 (wt %). PLA, flax and expoidizied natural rubber (ENR) composites were also developed using a melt compounding process. The mechanical properties were affected significantly when the flax fibres were mixed with PLA in the ratios of 10, 20 and 30 (wt %). Addition of flax fibres increased the elastic modulus significantly but reduced the tensile strength and strain at break. To improve the toughness of the PLA- Flax composites, ENR was incorporated into the PLA- Flax composites. In order to balance the modulus of the reinforcement and the matrix, the PLA- Flax and ENR composites were annealed above the glass transition temperature and the degree of crystallinity increased from 2 to 35 (%). The integral blending of PLA, Flax and ENR did not affect the brittle fracture but introducing a masterbatch of flax fibres and ENR into the PLA matrix during melt processing had a considerable effect on the fracture behaviour of the composites. The elastic modulus of the composites decreased due to the elastomeric content in the composites and there was an increase in elongation-to-break. The effect of talc on the crystallinity and mechanical properties of a series of polylactic acid (PLA) / talc composites was investigated. PLA talc composites were developed by incorporating different types of the talc into the PLA in the ratios of 10, 20 and 30 (wt %). The composites were prepared by melt blending followed by compression moulding. It was found that talc acted as a nucleating agent and increased the crystallinity of the PLA from 2% to 25%. There was significant improvement in Young s modulus of the composites with increasing talc addition and these results were found to fit the Halpin Tsai model. Thermo-mechanical tests confirmed that the combination of increased crystallinity and storage modulus leads to improvement in the heat distortion properties.

Neste estudo foram avaliadas amostras de misturas poliméricas de Policarbonato (PC) e Poli--caprolactona (PCL) em diferentes concentrações após enterro em solo preparado, por períodos variando de uma a doze semanas, seguindo a Norma ASTM G 160 - 03. As amostras, após ficarem enterradas, foram retiradas do solo e analisadas por calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), análise termogravimétrica (TGA), microscopia ótica (MO), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectrometria de absorção na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Foi observado através de avaliação morfológica que houve degradação nas amostras de PCL puro e na mistura PC/PCL (60/40). Para misturas com menores teores de PCL a degradação não foi significativa no tempo de avaliação sugerido pela norma. Após o tempo de 12 semanas em contato com o solo houve uma redução no teor de cristalinidade das amostras tanto de PCL puro quanto da mistura PC/PCL com 40% de PCL. As variações ocorridas devido à biodegradabilidade não foram suficientes para acarretar perda de resistência térmica nas amostras. Verificou-se que para avaliar a biodegradabilidade de misturas contendo o polímero biodegradável PCL, é necessária uma adaptação da Norma utilizada, aumentando o tempo de enterro das amostras / In this study samples of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(- caprolactone (PCL) blends were evaluated in different concentrations after being buried under simulation soil condition, for periods varying from one to twelve weeks, following ASTM G 160 03 methodology. The samples, after being buried, were removed from the soil and analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), termogravimetric analysis (TGA), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was observed by morphological evaluation that pure PCL and PC/PCL (60/40) blend have suffered degradation. Blends with lower content of PCL did not shown significant degradation during the period of time suggested at the ASTM methodology. After 12 weeks in contact with soil, pure PCL and PC/PCL blend with 40% of PCL, had a decrease in crystalinity content. The variations in the samples due to biodegradability have not been enough to cause loss of thermal resistance in any of the tested samples. It was verified that to evaluate biodegradability of blends containing biodegradable polymer PCL, it is necessary an adaptation of the ASTM methodology, increasing the time of samples burial