The objective is to identify the biodegradable polymer from the provided options. A biodegradable polymer is defined as follows:
- A biodegradable polymer is a polymer susceptible to decomposition by biological agents. Under microbial activity, these polymers degrade into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.
Examining the options:
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): A synthetic polymer that is non-biodegradable, commonly used for pipes and cables, and resists decomposition.
- Freon: A refrigerant chemical compound, not a polymer, and not biodegradable.
- Nylon: A synthetic polymer used in textiles, characterized by its resistance to biological breakdown and thus, non-biodegradability.
- PHBV (Polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate): A biodegradable polyester produced by specific bacteria, capable of decomposition by microorganisms.
Based on this evaluation, PHBV is identified as the sole biodegradable polymer among the given choices.