2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021

Open AccessArticle

Zein as a Basis of Recyclable Injection Moulded Materials: Effect of Formulation and Processing Conditions

by

Fahimeh Alsadat-Seyedbokaei

,

Manuel Felix

and

Carlos Bengoechea

Polymers 2023, 15(18), 3841; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15183841 - 21 Sep 2023

Viewed by 123

Abstract

The growing concern about reducing carbon footprint has led to the progressive replacement of traditional polymeric materials by natural-based biodegradable materials. However, materials from natural sources (i.e., plants) typically possess poorer mechanical properties when compared to conventional plastics. To counterbalance this, they need [...] Read more.

The growing concern about reducing carbon footprint has led to the progressive replacement of traditional polymeric materials by natural-based biodegradable materials. However, materials from natural sources (i.e., plants) typically possess poorer mechanical properties when compared to conventional plastics. To counterbalance this, they need to be adequately formulated and processed to eventually meet the standards for certain applications. Zein is the major storage protein from corn and can be obtained as a by-product from the corn-oil industry. It is an excellent candidate for producing green materials due to its stability, biodegradability, renewability, and suitable mechanical and technical-functional properties. In the present work, zein was blended with a plasticizer (i.e., glycerol) at three different zein/glycerol ratios (75/25, 70/30, and 65/25) and then injection moulded at three different processing temperatures (120, 150, and 190 °C). The properties of both blends and bioplastics were evaluated using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile tests, and water absorption capacity (WUC). The properties–structure interrelation was assessed through a scanning electron microscope. Generally, a higher zein content and processing temperature led to a certain reinforcement of the samples. Moreover, all bioplastics displayed a thermoplastic behaviour finally melting at temperatures around 80 °C. The lack of massive crosslinking enabled this melting, which finally could be used to confirm the ability of zein based materials to be recycled, while maintaining their properties. The recyclability of thermoplastic zein materials widens the scope of their application, especially considering its biodegradability. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Surface Potential of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Composite Supports on the Collagen Contamination Level

by

Elena-Luiza Epure

,

Florina Daniela Cojocaru

,

Mihaela Aradoaei

,

Romeo Cristian Ciobanu

and

Gianina Dodi

Polymers 2023, 15(3), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15030776 - 03 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1315

Abstract

With a significant number of features (namely being multipurpose, inexpensive and durable), thermoplastic polymers, most often named plastics, are part of our daily routine, with an increasing production over the last decade. Among them, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) [...] Read more.

With a significant number of features (namely being multipurpose, inexpensive and durable), thermoplastic polymers, most often named plastics, are part of our daily routine, with an increasing production over the last decade. Among them, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) are distinguished as the five most commonly used plastics in various fields, mainly in the packaging industry. Even if it is difficult to imagine the world without plastics, the boosted plastic assembly comes with huge plastic waste, creating a number of challenges, as the most important threat for our environment, but also opportunities for recycling. Currently, a special attention is dedicated on how to improve the current recycling methods or to find new ones, since the quality of recycled plastics and potential chemical or biological contaminations are two problematic aspects. Understanding the properties of each thermoplastic polymer and the interaction with possible contaminants may be the key for an efficient recycling process. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the surface behaviour of different composite supports based on recycled PET before and after interaction with collagen (used as a biological contaminant). The surface contamination bias of PET supports was studied through different techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water uptake through swelling studies, contact angle measurements and attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Full article

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2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021

Open AccessArticle

Waste Eggshells as a Natural Filler for the Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Composites

by

Katarzyna Skórczewska

,

Krzysztof Lewandowski

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and

Polymers 2022, 14(20), 4372; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14204372 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2167

Abstract

The paper presents the characteristics of unplasticized PVC composites modified with biofiller obtained from the waste eggshells of hen eggs. The composites obtained by extrusion contained from 10 phr to 40 phr of biofiller. The filler was characterized using the SEM, TG, and [...] Read more.

The paper presents the characteristics of unplasticized PVC composites modified with biofiller obtained from the waste eggshells of hen eggs. The composites obtained by extrusion contained from 10 phr to 40 phr of biofiller. The filler was characterized using the SEM, TG, and sieve analysis methods. The influence of the filler on the processing properties was determined using plastographometric and MFR tests. Fundamental analysis of mechanical properties was also performed, i.e., Charpy impact strength and determination of tensile properties. The mechanical properties were supported with dynamical mechanical thermal analysis, time of thermal stability, and thermogravimetric analysis. Structure analysis was also performed using SEM and X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). The processing properties of the tested composites do not give grounds for disqualifying such material from traditional processing PVC mixtures. Notably, the biofiller significantly improves thermal stability. Ground eggshells (ES) work as scavengers for the Cl radicals released in the first stage, which delays the PVC chain’s decay. Additionally, a significant increase in the value of the modulus of elasticity and softening point (VST) of the composites concerning PVC was found. Ground hen eggshells can be used as an effective filler for PVC composites. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Manufacture and Characterization of Recycled Polypropylene and Olive Pits Biocomposites

by

Sofía Jurado-Contreras

,

Francisco J. Navas-Martos

,

José A. Rodríguez-Liébana

,

Alberto J. Moya

and

M. Dolores La Rubia

Polymers 2022, 14(19), 4206; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14194206 - 07 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1290

Abstract

The present work studies the use of olive pit (OP) as a reinforcement in the manufacture of composites based on a post-consumer recycled polypropylene (rPP). In this way, it is feasible to provide added value from olive pits, a by-product resulting from the [...] Read more.

The present work studies the use of olive pit (OP) as a reinforcement in the manufacture of composites based on a post-consumer recycled polypropylene (rPP). In this way, it is feasible to provide added value from olive pits, a by-product resulting from the olive industry operations, while promoting the circular economy and reducing the use of fossil-based polymers. For this purpose, suitable samples were manufactured using 25 wt% and 40 wt% of OP. Additionally, the effect of incorporating additives was studied: (a) a process control additive (PA), and (b) a coupling agent of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP). The results showed an improvement in Young’s and flexural modulus with the OP addition. The incorporation of PA did not present any significant improvement in the properties of the materials, nevertheless it facilitated the biocomposite manufacturing process. As for the coupling agent, it significantly improved the mechanical properties, achieving the best results with the addition of the two types of additives and 40 wt% of OP. Moreover, the thermal properties were maintained, and there was an increase in crystallinity in all composites compared to rPP. According to the results of the fracture surface analysis, the coupling agent improves reinforcement-polymer matrix cohesion. Full article

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Open AccessReview

Recycling of Thermoset Materials and Thermoset-Based Composites: Challenge and Opportunity

by

Elisabetta Morici

and

Nadka Tz. Dintcheva

Polymers 2022, 14(19), 4153; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14194153 - 04 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4229

Abstract

Thermoset materials and their composites are characterized by a long life cycle with their main applications in aircrafts, wind turbines and constructions as insulating materials. Considering the importance of recovery and valorization of these materials at their end-of-life, avoiding landfilling, the interest concerning [...] Read more.

Thermoset materials and their composites are characterized by a long life cycle with their main applications in aircrafts, wind turbines and constructions as insulating materials. Considering the importance of recovery and valorization of these materials at their end-of-life, avoiding landfilling, the interest concerning their recycling grows continuously. The thermoset materials and their composites, to be successfully recovered and valorized, must degrade their three-dimensional structures and recover the mono-oligomers and/or fillers. The thermoset materials could successfully degrade through thermal treatment at different temperatures (for example, above 1000 °C for incineration, ca. 500 °C for oxidation/combustion of organic constituents, etc.), chemical degradation by catalyst, irradiation with or without the presence of water, alcohol, etc., and mechanical recycling, obtaining fine particles that are useful as filler and/or reinforcement additives. Among these recycling methods, this mini-review focuses on the formulation and recovery method of innovative thermoset with in-build recyclability, i.e., materials having chemical links that could be degraded on-demand or containing dynamic covalent bonds to have re-processable and/or recyclable thermoset. This issue could be considered the future perspective in developing novel thermoset materials. The aim of this review is to get an overview of the state of the art in thermoset recycling and of the most commonly used thermoset composites, recovering valuable reinforcing fibers. Additionally, in this work, we also report not only known recycling routes for thermoset and thermoset-based composites, but also new and novel formulating strategies for producing thermosets with built-in recyclability, i.e., containing chemical-triggered on-demand links. This mini-review is also a valuable guide for educational purposes for students and specialized technicians in polymer production and recycling. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Economical Chemical Recycling of Complex PET Waste in the Form of Active Packaging Material

by

Julija Volmajer Valh

,

Dimitrije Stopar

,

Ignacio Selaya Berodia

,

Alen Erjavec

,

Olivera Šauperl

and

Lidija Fras Zemljič

Polymers 2022, 14(16), 3244; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14163244 - 09 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1593

Abstract

Since millions of tons of packaging material cannot be recycled in conventional ways, most of it ends up in landfills or even dumped into the natural environment. The researched methods of chemical depolymerization therefore open a new perspective for the recycling of various [...] Read more.

Since millions of tons of packaging material cannot be recycled in conventional ways, most of it ends up in landfills or even dumped into the natural environment. The researched methods of chemical depolymerization therefore open a new perspective for the recycling of various PET materials, which are especially important for packaging. Food preservative packaging materials made from PET plastics are complex, and their wastes are often contaminated, so there are no sophisticated solutions for them in the recycling industry. After integrating the biopolymer chitosan, which is derived from natural chitin, as an active surface additive in PET materials, we discovered that it not only enriches the packaging material as a microbial inhibitor to reduce the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, thus extending the shelf life of the contained food, but also enables economical chemical recycling by alkaline or neutral hydrolysis, which is an environmentally friendly process. Alkaline hydrolysis at a high temperature and pressure completely depolymerizes chitosan-coated PET packaging materials into pure terephthalic acid and charcoal. The products were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The resulting reusable material represents raw materials in chemical, plastic, textile, and other industries, in addition to the antimicrobial function and recyclability itself. Full article

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Open AccessReview

Agri-Food Wastes for Bioplastics: European Prospective on Possible Applications in Their Second Life for a Circular Economy

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and

Polymers 2022, 14(13), 2752; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14132752 - 05 Jul 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4596

Abstract

Agri-food wastes (such as brewer’s spent grain, olive pomace, residual pulp from fruit juice production, etc.) are produced annually in very high quantities posing a serious problem, both environmentally and economically. These wastes can be used as secondary starting materials to produce value-added [...] Read more.

Agri-food wastes (such as brewer’s spent grain, olive pomace, residual pulp from fruit juice production, etc.) are produced annually in very high quantities posing a serious problem, both environmentally and economically. These wastes can be used as secondary starting materials to produce value-added goods within the principles of the circular economy. In this context, this review focuses on the use of agri-food wastes either to produce building blocks for bioplastics manufacturing or biofillers to be mixed with other bioplastics. The pros and cons of the literature analysis have been highlighted, together with the main aspects related to the production of bioplastics, their use and recycling. The high number of European Union (EU)-funded projects for the valorisation of agri-food waste with the best European practices for this industrial sector confirm a growing interest in safeguarding our planet from environmental pollution. However, problems such as the correct labelling and separation of bioplastics from fossil ones remain open and to be optimised, with the possibility of reuse before final composting and selective recovery of biomass. Full article

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Open AccessReview

Recycled (Bio)Plastics and (Bio)Plastic Composites: A Trade Opportunity in a Green Future

by

Elisabetta Morici

,

Sabrina Carola Carroccio

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,

and

Polymers 2022, 14(10), 2038; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14102038 - 16 May 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3560

Abstract

Today’s world is at the point where almost everyone realizes the usefulness of going green. Due to so-called global warming, there is an urgent need to find solutions to help the Earth and move towards a green future. Many worldwide events are focusing [...] Read more.

Today’s world is at the point where almost everyone realizes the usefulness of going green. Due to so-called global warming, there is an urgent need to find solutions to help the Earth and move towards a green future. Many worldwide events are focusing on the global technologies in plastics, bioplastic production, the recycling industry, and waste management where the goal is to turn plastic waste into a trade opportunity among the industrialists and manufacturers. The present work aims to review the recycling process via analyzing the recycling of thermoplastic, thermoset polymers, biopolymers, and their complex composite systems, such as fiber-reinforced polymers and nanocomposites. Moreover, it will be highlighted how the frame of the waste management, increasing the materials specificity, cleanliness, and a low level of collected material contamination will increase the potential recycling of plastics and bioplastics-based materials. At the same time, to have a real and approachable trade opportunity in recycling, it needs to implement an integrated single market for secondary raw materials. Full article

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2021

Jump to: 2023, 2022

Open AccessArticle

Single-Use Disposable Waste Upcycling via Thermochemical Conversion Pathway

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and

Polymers 2021, 13(16), 2617; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13162617 - 06 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1613

Abstract

Herein, the pyrolysis of two types of single-use disposable waste (single-use food containers and corrugated fiberboard) was investigated as an approach to cleanly dispose of municipal solid waste, including plastic waste. For the pyrolysis of single-use food containers or corrugated fiberboard, an increase [...] Read more.

Herein, the pyrolysis of two types of single-use disposable waste (single-use food containers and corrugated fiberboard) was investigated as an approach to cleanly dispose of municipal solid waste, including plastic waste. For the pyrolysis of single-use food containers or corrugated fiberboard, an increase in temperature tended to increase the yield of pyrolytic gas (i.e., non-condensable gases) and decrease the yield of pyrolytic liquid (i.e., a mixture of condensable compounds) and solid residue. The single-use food container-derived pyrolytic product was largely composed of hydrocarbons with a wide range of carbon numbers from C₁ to C₃₂, while the corrugated fiberboard-derived pyrolytic product was composed of a variety of chemical groups such as phenolic compounds, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and oxygenates involving alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, acetates, and esters. Changes in the pyrolysis temperature from 500 °C to 900 °C had no significant effect on the selectivity toward each chemical group found in the pyrolytic liquid derived from either the single-use food containers or corrugated fiberboard. The co-pyrolysis of the single-use food containers and corrugated fiberboard led to 6 times higher hydrogen (H₂) selectivity than the pyrolysis of the single-use food containers only. Furthermore, the co-pyrolysis did not form phenolic compounds or polycyclic aromatic compounds that are hazardous environmental pollutants (0% selectivity), indicating that the co-pyrolysis process is an eco-friendly method to treat single-use disposable waste. Full article

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