Porphyrin as Photosensitizers for Controlling Marine Biodegradation of Polymer Composites

Biodegradable polymer–photosensitizer composites were developed, which is suppressed biodegradation due to bactericidal activity under light irradiation but proceeds under dark conditions. The composites exhibited antibacterial activity under light irradiation, which was attributed to the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2). Biodegradation was evaluated in seawater using the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) method. In the dark, the composite and base polymer biodegraded to a similar degree. However, under light irradiation, the biodegradation of the composite was suppressed. In field tests, the rate of volume reduction of the composites decreased under illumination. The main cause of the suppression of biodegradation is suggested to be due to the decrease in the number of bacteria on the surface of the material and the inactivation of exoenzymes. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of biodegradable polymers that do not biodegrade during use but only when disposed of in the environment, thereby achieving on-demand degradation.