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3. Degradation of silicones in the environment
Until a few years ago, silicones were considered non-degradable in the environment and inert to living organisms. This was seen as a positive commercial and societal argument. Today, their degradation has been demonstrated, but the fact remains that they are polymers that are highly resistant to different environmental biophysical and chemical contexts. Degradation is generally described in two successive phases:
the first is chemical hydrolysis (an abiotic process);
the second may be UV degradation (abiotic process) or biodegradation (biotic process). The intermediate degradation products are siloxanols and silanols (including mainly DMSD) and the final products, CO 2 and inorganic silicates.
The general mechanism for PDMS is...
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Degradation of silicones in the environment
Environmental fate of silicones
Bibliography
- (1) - IUPAC, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry - Silanols. - [en ligne] (1997) http://www.goldbook.iupac.org/S05664.html (page consultée le 17 juin 2013)
- (2)...
Websites
CES Centre Européen des Silicones http://www.silicones-europe.com/ (page consulted on June 17, 2013)
Dow Corning, Fascinating Silicone http://www.dowcorning.com/content/discover/ (page consulted on June...
Events
European Silicon Days, MMS Conferencing, international conference on silicon chemistry and technology, held every two years (odd-numbered years). http://www.mmsconferencing.com/
Sardinia symposium, International symposium on waste management and landfill issues, held every two years in Sardinia (odd-numbered years).
Regulations
Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labeling of dangerous substances
Directory
Manufacturers – Suppliers – Distributors (non-exhaustive list)
Bluestar Silicones http://www.bluestarsilicones.com/
Evonik http://www.evonik.com/
Dow Corning http://www.dowcorning.com/
...
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