Abstract
Abstract Mechanical recycling of biodegradable plastics has to be encouraged, since the consumption of energy and raw materials can be reduced towards a sustainable development in plastics materials. In this study, the evolution of thermal and mechanical properties, as well as structural changes of poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) up to three extrusion cycles were investigated. Results indicated a significant reduction in mechanical properties already at the second extrusion cycle, with a reduction above 50% in the third cycle. An increase in the crystallinity index was observed due to chemicrystallization process during degradation by chain scission. On the other hand, significant changes in the chemical structure or in thermal stability of PHB cannot be detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), respectively.
Highlights
The rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation is of short-life goods, recycling of these polymers becomes rising more than the rate of urbanization around the world[1]. even more important because of the large amount of waste
Plastics are of main concern because they represent between 3 and 14.3 wt% of the total MSW, most are from non-renewable sources and have relatively low recycling rates[1,2,3]
The thermal stability of PHB along processing cycles exhibited only a trend to decrease the thermal stability with extrusions paths, as evidenced by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves
Summary
The rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation is of short-life goods, recycling of these polymers becomes rising more than the rate of urbanization around the world[1]. even more important because of the large amount of wasteBy 2025, the volume of MSW generated worldwide is generated in markets, as well as insumes consumed.expected to double, reaching an amount of 2.2 billion tonnes per year[1]. A key practice to minimizing the environmental problems associated with solid waste is the practice of the 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) concept, which contributes to reduce energy and natural resources consumption, extend life cycle of products and landfills, and store carbon for a longer period, all important initiatives within the concept of sustainable development. Another alternative that has gained importance is the replacement of petroleum-based plastics by biopolymers from renewable resources, which are generally compostable and able to close the carbon cycle. Recycling of biopolymers can be an alternative to composting and to reduce carbon dioxide
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