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Polymers
Special Issues
Eco-Design of Polymeric Materials
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Eco-Design of Polymeric Materials

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2023) | Viewed by 7713

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jean-Mathieu Pin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polystyvert Inc., 9350 Rue de l'Innovation, Anjou, QC H1J 2X9, Canada
Interests: polymer physical-chemistry; thermokinetic; thermal analysis; liquid-crystals; bio-resources valorization; polymer recycling; eco-design; industrial by-product valorization
Prof. Dr. Patrick Lee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Multifunctional Composites Manufacturing Laboratory (MCML), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King’s College Road, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
Interests: foams; multiphase foam materials; lightweight and smart polymeric materials; hybrid polymer materials and foams; micro-/nanolayer coextrusion; modelling of polymeric foams; super high R-value foams; conductive and functional foams; sound insulation foams
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The need for sustainable polymeric materials is constantly increasing, along with the necessity of transitioning toward a circular economy. Designing new polymeric materials while considering each step of their lives, including their end-of-life management, is becoming a challenge that both academics and those in industry must face. This Special Issue is therefore focusing on research topics that would help to reach this goal, such as the following:

  • Synthesis of sustainable and green polymers.
  • Biobased polymeric formulations.
  • Chemical and physical recycling technology development.
  • Design of lightweight materials.
  • Wastes’ and industrial coproducts’ valorization as well as upcycling.
  • Design of sustainable fillers and composites.
  • Elaboration of biodegradable materials.

We also welcome and encourage investigations that establish the structure–properties relationships of sustainable materials, since it permits the rationalization of their designs. 

Dr. Jean-Mathieu Pin
Prof. Dr. Patrick Lee
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • green polymers and composites
  • polymer recycling
  • lightweight materials
  • sustainable materials
  • material upcycling
  • material eco-design
  • biobased polymers

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2070 KiB  
Article
Recyclability of Post-Consumer Polystyrene at Pilot Scale: Comparison of Mechanical and Solvent-Based Recycling Approaches
by Jean-Mathieu Pin, Iman Soltani, Keny Negrier and Patrick C. Lee
Polymers 2023, 15(24), 4714; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15244714 - 15 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1133
Abstract
Solvent-based and mechanical recycling technology approaches were compared with respect to each process’s decontamination efficiency. Herein, post-consumer polystyrene (PS) feedstock was recycled by both technologies, yielding recycled PS resins (rPS). The process feedstock was subjected to four recycling cycles in succession to assess [...] Read more.
Solvent-based and mechanical recycling technology approaches were compared with respect to each process’s decontamination efficiency. Herein, post-consumer polystyrene (PS) feedstock was recycled by both technologies, yielding recycled PS resins (rPS). The process feedstock was subjected to four recycling cycles in succession to assess the technology perennity. The physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the rPS were then evaluated to discern the advantages and drawbacks of each recycling approach. The molecular weight of the mechanically recycled resin was found to decrease by 30% over the reprocessing cycles. In contrast, the solvent-base recycling technology yielded a similar molecular weight regarding the feedstock. This consistency in the rPS product is critical for consumer applications. Further qualitative and quantitative analyses on residual organic compounds and inorganic and particulate contaminants were investigated. It was found that the solvent-based technology is very efficient for purifying deeply contaminated feedstock in comparison to mechanical recycling, which is limited to well-cleaned and niche feedstocks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Design of Polymeric Materials)
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20 pages, 8116 KiB  
Article
Effect of Hydrophilic Polyurethane on Interfacial Shear Strength of Pisha Sandstone Consolidation under Freeze–Thaw Cycles
by Wenbo Ma, Ke Yang, Xuan Zhou, Zhengdong Luo and Yuefei Guo
Polymers 2023, 15(9), 2131; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092131 - 29 Apr 2023
Viewed by 876
Abstract
The W-OH type polyurethane (W-OH) has been proven to be an economical and environmentally friendly slope protection solution for slope maintenance in Pisha sandstone areas. However, the Pisha area belongs to a typical temperate continental climate with large diurnal temperature changes in winter, [...] Read more.
The W-OH type polyurethane (W-OH) has been proven to be an economical and environmentally friendly slope protection solution for slope maintenance in Pisha sandstone areas. However, the Pisha area belongs to a typical temperate continental climate with large diurnal temperature changes in winter, spring, and autumn and freezing and thawing occurring alternately between days and nights. Under freeze–thaw cycle conditions, the effect of slope treatment largely depends on the interface shear strength between W-OH-treated Pisha sandstone and pristine sandstone. Therefore, this paper studies the interfacial shear strength and long-term durability of Bisha sandstone consolidation (W-OH-treated Pisha sandstone) and Pisha sandstone under freeze–thaw cycles. First, the effects of different W-OH concentrations and different water contents on the freeze–thaw cycle interface were studied using a direct shear test. Based on the experimental results, the W-OH material was further modified with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Finally, the damaged surface of the sample was observed through an ultra-depth-of-field microscope, and the damage mechanism of the interface caused by the freeze–thaw cycles was further discussed. The experimental results show that the peak shear strength at the interface increases with the increase in W-OH concentration and decreases with the increase in freeze–thaw cycles. The cohesion at the interface generally increases with the increase in W-OH concentration and reaches a maximum value of 43.6 kPa when the W-OH concentration is 10%. At the same time, under the condition of high water content, the curing of the W-OH material has no significant effect on the bonding performance of the interface. Using EVA to modify the W-OH material can improve the freeze–thaw durability of the interface. After modification, the interfacial cohesion of the sample increases with the increase in the EVA concentration and can reach 162% of the original. Using an ultra-depth-of-field microscope, it was found that the repeated solidification–melting action of water between the interfaces makes the consolidated body on the damaged surface fall off, resulting in cracks. As the water content between the interfaces increases, the damage to the material is greater. However, the addition of EVA can fill the uncovered pores of W-OH cement, thereby improving the cohesion at the interface and effectively alleviating the freeze–thaw damage caused by the high water content at the interface. The results of this study can provide some theoretical references for slope treatment in the Pisha sandstone area using W-OH materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Design of Polymeric Materials)
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15 pages, 4745 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Cotton Gin Waste/Polycaprolactone Bio-Plastic with Adjustable Biodegradation Rate: Scale-Up Production through Compression Moulding
by Zengxiao Cai, Abu Naser Md Ahsanul Haque, Renuka Dhandapani and Maryam Naebe
Polymers 2023, 15(9), 1992; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15091992 - 23 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1558
Abstract
Cotton gin trash (CGT), a lignocellulosic waste generated during cotton fibre processing, has recently received significant attention for production of composite bio-plastics. However, earlier studies were limited to either with biodegradable polymers, through small-scale solution-casting method, or using industrially adaptable extrusion route, but [...] Read more.
Cotton gin trash (CGT), a lignocellulosic waste generated during cotton fibre processing, has recently received significant attention for production of composite bio-plastics. However, earlier studies were limited to either with biodegradable polymers, through small-scale solution-casting method, or using industrially adaptable extrusion route, but with non-biodegradable polymers. In this study, a scale-up production of completely biodegradable CGT composite plastic film with adjustable biodegradation rate is proposed. First using a twin screw extruder, the prepared CGT powder was combined with polycaprolactone (PCL) to form pellets, and then using the compressing moulding, the pellets were transformed into bio-plastic composite films. Hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as a plasticiser in the mixture and its impact on the biodegradation rate was analysed. The morphology of CGT bio-plastic composite films showed even distribution of CGT powder within the PCL matrix. The CGT incorporation improved the UV resistance, thermal stability, and Young’s modulus of PCL material. Further, the flexibility and mixing properties of the composites were improved by PEG. Overall, this study demonstrated a sustainable production method of CGT bio-plastic films using the whole CGT and without any waste residue produced, where the degradation of the produced composite films can be adjusted to minimise the environmental impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Design of Polymeric Materials)
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23 pages, 8613 KiB  
Article
Development and Characterization of Bio-Composites from the Plant Wastes of Water Hyacinth and Sugarcane Bagasse: Effect of Water Repellent and Gamma Radiation
by K. Z. M. Abdul Motaleb, Brigita Abakevičienė and Rimvydas Milašius
Polymers 2023, 15(7), 1609; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15071609 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2078
Abstract
Plant waste is a huge source of natural fibers and has great potential in the field of reinforced polymer composites to replace the environmentally harmful synthetic composites. In this study, fibers were extracted from water hyacinth (WH) petiole and sugarcane bagasse (SB) to [...] Read more.
Plant waste is a huge source of natural fibers and has great potential in the field of reinforced polymer composites to replace the environmentally harmful synthetic composites. In this study, fibers were extracted from water hyacinth (WH) petiole and sugarcane bagasse (SB) to make nonwovens by wet-laid web formation, and reinforced on the polyester (P) and epoxy (E) resins to make four types of composites namely, water hyacinth nonwoven reinforced epoxy (WH + E), water hyacinth nonwoven reinforced polyester (WH + P), sugarcane bagasse nonwoven reinforced epoxy (SB + E) and sugarcane bagasse nonwoven reinforced polyester (SB + P) composites. Water repellent (WR) on the nonwovens and gamma radiation (GR) on the composites were applied to improve the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength (TS), elongation at break and tensile modulus (TM) of the composites. The morphological structure of the fiber surfaces and tensile fractures were analyzed by SEM. FTIR spectra showed changes in functional groups before and after treatment. XRD analysis exhibited an increase in crystallinity for gamma-irradiated composites and a decrease in crystallinity for WR-treated composites compared to untreated composites. The SB composites (SB + E, SB + P) and polyester composites (WH + P, SB + P) showed higher water absorbency and lower mechanical properties than the WH composites (WH + E, WH + P) and epoxy composites (WH + E, SB + E), respectively. Hydrophobicity improved significantly by approximately 57% (average) at a concentration of 10% WR. However, TS and TM were reduced by approximately 24% at the same concentration. Thus, 5% WR is considered an optimum concentration due to the very low deterioration of TS and TM (<10%) but significant improvement in hydrophobicity (~39%) at this dose. On the other hand, GR treatment significantly improved TS, TM and hydrophobicity by 41, 32 and 25%, respectively, and decreased Eb% by 11% at a dose of 200 krd. However, mechanical properties and hydrophobicity deteriorated with further increase in dose at 300 krd. Thus, 200 krd is considered the optimum dose of GR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Design of Polymeric Materials)
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11 pages, 7679 KiB  
Article
Improved Rotational Foam Molding Properties of Tailored Polyethylene Blends with Higher Crystallization Temperature and Viscosity-Temperature Sensitivity
by Xuelian Chen and Qigu Huang
Polymers 2022, 14(17), 3486; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173486 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1409
Abstract
Rotational foam molding has attracted more and more attention due to the inexpensive machines required, low residual stresses, and flexible design for special and high-value-added applications. However, it is a great challenge to control cell sizes and morphology because of its coalesce and [...] Read more.
Rotational foam molding has attracted more and more attention due to the inexpensive machines required, low residual stresses, and flexible design for special and high-value-added applications. However, it is a great challenge to control cell sizes and morphology because of its coalesce and collapse during prolonged heating or at different temperatures. A novel tailored polyethylene blend with a unique chain structure for rotational foam molding was creatively proposed and demonstrated, and the effects of crystallization temperature and viscosity–temperature sensitivity on foaming were also investigated. The polyethylene blends with few chain branches in the low-molecular-weight part and many chain branches in the high-molecular-weight part effectively improved the crystallization temperature and the viscosity–temperature sensitivity for better prevention of coalesce and collapse during the foam-shaping stage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Design of Polymeric Materials)
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