Abstract
The objective of this project is evaluating the potential of microbes (fungi and bacteria) for the depolymerization of epoxy, aiming at the development of a circular management of natural resources for epoxy in a long-term prospective. For depolymerization, epoxy samples were incubated for 1, 3, 6 and 9 months in soil microcosms inoculated with Ganoderma adspersum. Contact angle data revealed a reduction in the hydrophobicity induced by the fungus. Environmental scanning electron microscopy on epoxy samples incubated for more than 3 years in microbiological water revealed abundant microbiota. This comprised microbes of different sizes and shapes. The fungi Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus calidoustus, as well as the bacteria Variovorax sp. and Methyloversatilis discipulorum, were isolated from this environment. Altogether, these results suggest that microbes are able to colonize epoxy surfaces and, most probably, also partially depolymerize them. This could open promising opportunities for the study of new metabolisms potentially able depolymerize epoxy materials.
Highlights
Published: 4 January 2022Inefficient management of natural resources, with continuous increase in CO2 accumulation, is a recognized global threat, affecting the stability of ecosystems and biodiversity, and economic stability and human health
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Summary
Published: 4 January 2022Inefficient management of natural resources, with continuous increase in CO2 accumulation, is a recognized global threat, affecting the stability of ecosystems and biodiversity, and economic stability and human health. Research predicts that with the current economy and waste management, by 2030, industries will demand the amount of natural resources present in two Earths, and those in three by 2050 [2]. This is not sustainable and could lead to a collapse of our ecological and economic systems. Efforts to move towards a circular and green economy are necessary This requires new technologies for transformation of waste into valuable products through recycling and upcycling. This holds for carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites with epoxy matrix. This is a light-weight material with highly specific strength and stiffness
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