Bioplastics Research Articles

Effect of unbleached and bleached softwood cellulose pulp fibers on poly(lactic acid) properties

Global regulations are guiding society towards more sustainable material solutions. This increasing awareness of the need for environmentally friendly alternatives has led to a greater emphasis on biocomposites, which combine natural fibers with bio-based polymers. This study investigates how bleached softwood pulp fibers (BSWPF) and unbleached softwood pulp fibers (UBSWPF) affect the characteristics of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based biocomposites. UBSWPF is a more cost-effective option because it is manufactured with less processing steps than BSWPF. However, it is largely unexplored as a reinforcement in biopolymers. Through investigating the mechanical, thermal, and morphological aspects of the biocomposites, this study showed that UBSWP increased the modulus and impact strength of the PLA biocomposites better than BSWPF. The impact strength, modulus, and tensile strength of PLA-BSWPF and PLA-UBSWPF improved as the fiber content increased. However, a decrease in tensile strength was seen at higher percentages of UBSWPF in PLA. Despite the decrease in tensile strength at higher UBSWPF concentrations, both types of fibers improved the mechanical properties of the biocomposites, demonstrating a potential sustainable reinforcing material for PLA biocomposites.

Investigate the Processability of Biobased Thermoplastics Used in Nonwoven Fabrics.

The Covid-19 pandemic increased enormously the manufacturing and usage of face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE), resulting in accumulation of plastic waste and, thus, causing universal environmental concerns. In addressing the issue of waste reduction and finding alternatives for fossil-based products, investigation of different biobased and biodegradable polymers plays a crucial role. This study examines the processability characteristics of three commonly used biobased polymers available in the market: biobased poly(lactic acid) (PLA), partly biobased and biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and biobased high-density poly(ethylene) (BioHDPE). The investigation combines substantial polymer analysis with subsequent processability trials in two different spunmelt processes, namely, meltblow (MB) and the Nanoval technology, aiming to reveal the differences and difficulties in the processing behavior and pointing out advantages and/or disadvantages of the respective polymer/technology combination. In general, the observed processability behavior and outcomes indicate that within the used processes PLA exhibits superior processability compared to PBS and BioHDPE. Both the meltblow and Nanoval processing of PLA demonstrated a consistent production of fibers and efficient uptake without any compromise on the throughput. In contrast, the processing of PBS using Nanoval required the utilization of significantly elevated temperatures, as indicated by a rheological study. Furthermore, the rheological evaluation revealed that the viscosity of BioHDPE was excessively elevated, rendering it unsuitable for effective processing by the Nanoval method. The microfibers in the PLA-based meltblown fabric had a higher surface area, explaining why the PLA fibers were able to function as a barrier and, thus, contribute to the mitigation of air permeability adjustable between 500 and 1000 l·s-1·m-2 and thus competitive or even superior to PP nonwovens of the same fiber diameter and base weight (1480 l·s-1·m-2). Overall, these results showed that PLA can be an alternative raw material for fossil-based nonwovens of PPE applying, especially, the meltblown technique.

Systematic screening for the biocatalytic hydration of fatty acids from different oily substrates by Elizabethkingia meningoseptica oleate hydratase through a Design-of-experiments approach

The edible plant oils production is associated with the release of different types of by-products. The latter represent cheap and available substrates to produce valuable compounds, such as flavours and fragrances, biologically active compounds and bio-based polymers. Elizabethkingia meningoseptica Oleate hydratases (Em_OhyA) can selectively catalyze the conversion of unsaturated fatty acids, specifically oleic acid, into hydroxy fatty acids, which find different industrial applications. In this study, Design-of-experiment (DoE) strategy was used to screen and identify conditions for reaching high yields in the reaction carried out by Escherichia coli whole-cell carrying the recombinant enzyme Em_OhyA using Waste Cooking Oils (WCO)-derived free fatty acids (FFA) as substrate. The identified reaction conditions for high oleic acid conversion were also tested on untreated triglycerides-containing substrates, such as pomace oil, sunflower oil, olive oil and oil mill wastewater (OMW), combining the triglyceride hydrolysis by the lipase from Candida rugosa and the E. coli whole-cell containing Em_OhyA for the production of hydroxy fatty acids. When WCO, sunflower oil and OMW were used as substrate, the one-pot bioconversion led to an increase of oleic acid conversion compared to the standard reaction. This work highlights the efficiency of the DoE approach to screen and identify conditions for an enzymatic reaction for the production of industrially-relevant products.

Enhancing the incorporation of 2-methylen-1,3-dioxepane (MDO) into industrial monomers by the addition of crotonate comonomers

Environmental concerns are pushing towards more sustainable materials such as degradable or bio-based polymers. 2-methylen-1,3-dioxepane (MDO) is a cyclic ketene acetal monomer that when reacts by radical ring opening polymerization can introduce degradable ester groups in the polymer backbone, but it is generally challenging to incorporate it uniformly with other industrially relevant vinylic monomers such as styrenics, methacrylics, acrylics and vinylics. In this work, we explore the use of butyl crotonate as termonomer to enhance the incorporation of MDO into common industrial monomers taking advantage of the particular reactivities of MDO and crotonate. Styrene is found not suitable for terpolymerization, as it just homopolymerized. With methyl methacrylate, the incorporation of MDO is substantially enhanced due to the presence of BCr, but the terpolymer is not homogeneous, and MDO is primarily incorporated in the closed form, which only partially enhanced the degradability. In the terpolymerization with ethyl acrylate high MDO incorporation is achieved (up to 80 %) and most of it is incorporated in to the open formed (80 %). Therefore, the obtained terpolymer shows complete degradation in 28 days. Last, the terpolymerization of vinyl acetate is the most successful, as almost total conversion of all monomers is achieved in short times, including (100 % conversion of MDO). Furthermore, the obtained terpolymers are highly homogeneous and degraded completely in few hours. The addition of crotonate monomer in formulations where MDO or other cyclic ketene acetal could bring new insights as it is shown that not only the incorporation of cyclic ketene acetals is enhanced but also that it favors the incorporation into the open form, which substantially enhanced the degradability of common polymers produced by radical polymerization.

Production of diphenolic acid from bio-levulinic acid over MCF supported bimetallic phosphotungstic acid as catalyst: Enhancement in rate and selectivity under microwave irradiation

The para-isomer of diphenolic acid is widely accepted as a bio-based polymer precursor and a sustainable substitute for bisphenol A (BPA). In the current work, a bimetallic dodecatungstophosphoric acid salt catalyst supported on mesocellular foam (MCF) was employed to condense bio-derived levulinic acid and phenol under solvent-free conditions in the presence of microwaves to enhance rates of reaction, conversion and selectivity. Various parameters affecting conversion and selectivity were systematically studied. A study was done to investigate the factors that affect the reaction rate. A kinetic model was derived, and reaction mechanism proposed. The reaction proceeds with a second-order kinetics with an activation energy of 10.17 Kcal/mol and exhibits the Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) mechanism. The catalyst was robust and could be repeatedly used. The overall process showed microwaves coupled with the new catalyst improved efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability in synthesizing diphenolic acid (DPA), offering new insights into the process.

Recent Advancements in the Field of Chitosan/Cellulose-Based Nanocomposites for Maximizing Arsenic Removal from Aqueous Environment.

Water remediation, acknowledged as a significant scientific topic, guarantees the safety of drinking water, considering the diverse range of pollutants that can contaminate it. Among these pollutants, arsenic stands out as a particularly severe threat to human health, significantly compromising the overall quality of life. Despite widespread awareness of the harmful effects of arsenic poisoning, there remains a scarcity of literature on the utilization of biobased polymers as sustainable alternatives for comprehensive arsenic removal in practical concern. Cellulose and chitosan, two of the most prevalent biopolymers in nature, provide a wide range of potential benefits in cutting-edge industries, including water remediation. Nanocomposites derived from cellulose and chitosan offer numerous advantages over their larger equivalents, including high chelating properties, cost-effective production, strength, integrity during usage, and the potential to close the recycling loop. Within the sphere of arsenic remediation, this Review outlines the selection criteria for novel cellulose/chitosan-nanocomposites, such as scalability in synthesis, complete arsenic removal, and recyclability for technical significance. Especially, it aims to give an overview of the historical development of research in cellulose and chitosan, techniques for enhancing their performance, the current state of the art of the field, and the mechanisms underlying the adsorption of arsenic using cellulose/chitosan nanocomposites. Additionally, it extensively discusses the impact of shape and size on adsorbent efficiency, highlighting the crucial role of physical characteristics in optimizing performance for practical applications. Furthermore, this Review addresses regeneration, reuse, and future prospects for chitosan/cellulose-nanocomposites, which bear practical relevance. Therefore, this Review underscores the significant research gap and offers insights into refining the structural features of adsorbents to improve total inorganic arsenic removal, thereby facilitating the transition of green-material-based technology into operational use.

The Development of Sustainable Biocomposite Materials Based on Poly(lactic acid) and Silverskin, a Coffee Industry By-Product, for Food Packaging Applications

Aligned with the principles of the circular economy and aiming at the production of environmentally friendly materials for food packaging applications, sustainable biocomposite films based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and coffee silverskin (SS), were developed. Coffee silverskin is a by-product of the coffee roasting process, while PLA is one of the most promising bio-based polymers. Several composites were prepared with different loadings of SS, ranging from 2.5 to 20 wt.%, via the solution casting method. The findings indicated that the effective dispersion of coffee silverskin in PLA was successfully accomplished and that a bleaching treatment of the filler leads to better interfacial interaction. The addition of silverskin, in any proportion, did not affect the melting point and glass transition temperature of the polymer matrix or the oxygen permeability of the film. Moreover, the degree of swelling was increased, more so for the films with modified particles, whereas the water vapor transmission rate and permeability increased only after the addition of high amounts (>10%) of surface-treated silverskin. A gradual decrease in color lightness was measured with the increasing concentration of silverskin, and the color was more intense in the untreated samples. The antioxidant activity of the films increased gradually with increasing additions of coffee silverskin due to the presence of compounds such as polyphenols. The chemical treatment of coffee silverskin resulted in the films having improved mechanical properties, as the chemical treatment facilitated stronger bonding between the base material and the additive. Therefore, sustainable composites with enhanced antioxidant activity can be produced by the incorporation of a food industry by-product into a PLA matrix.

Biobased and Biodegradable Shape Memory Polymers of Eucommia Ulmoides Gum and Polycaprolactone via Dynamic Vulcanization

Biobased and Biodegradable Shape Memory Polymers of Eucommia Ulmoides Gum and Polycaprolactone via Dynamic Vulcanization

Application of PLA-Based Films to Preserve Strawberries' Bioactive Compounds.

Poly-(Lactic Acid) (PLA) is regarded as one of the most promising bio-based polymers due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and processability. The investigation of the potential of PLA films in preserving the quality of strawberries is fully in line with the current directives on the sustainability of food packaging. The study aims to investigate the effects of PLA films on strawberries' physical and chemical properties, thereby determining whether they can be used as a post-harvest solution to control antioxidant loss, reduce mold growth, and extend the shelf-life of strawberries. Well-designed PLA films with different-sized holes obtained by laser perforation (PLA0, PLA16 and PLA23) were tested against a conventional packaging polypropylene (PP) tray for up to 20 days of storage. Weight loss and mold growth were significantly slower in strawberries packed in PLA films. At the same time, PLA-based films effectively preserved the deterioration of vitamin C content, polyphenols and antioxidant activity compared to the control. Furthermore, among all, the micro-perforated PLA film (PLA23) showed better preservation in the different parameters evaluated. These results could effectively inhibit the deterioration of fruit quality, showing promising expectations as an effective strategy to extend the shelf-life of strawberries.

THE EFFECT OF MOLECULAR WEIGHT ON THE THERMAL STABILITY OF CELLULOSE ACETATE

An organic ester with good mechanical characteristics (such as a high Young's modulus and tensile strength) is cellulose acetate (CA), a biobased polymer. Over the past few decades, the thermal characteristics of CA have been extensively studied. This study looked at the morphology and thermal characteristics of plasticized CA, particularly its mass loss according to thermogravimetric analysis. The analysis and comparison of the overall thermal behavior with theoretical models was done. The results of this study may have particular significance as certain polymers have a recognized dependence on β-relaxation for their mechanical attributes; this may also apply to CA.

TiO2 strengthened PLA nanocomposites: A prospective material for packaging application

Due to its unique mechanical, thermal, photocatalytic, and antibacterial qualities, the ground-breaking bio-based polymer nanocomposite polylactic acid/titanium dioxide (PLA/ TiO2) is a well-known replacement for conventional plastics and is being actively researched. In this work, a route is developed to synthesize nanocomposites based on TiO2-strengthened PLA nanocomposites (PLA/ TiO2). The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized using various spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Using a gas permeameter, the samples oxygen permeability was determined. Water molecules were able to readily penetrate the nanocomposite, and PLA/ TiO2 nanocomposites degraded more quickly than pure PLA. The dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles affected the rate of PLA degradation. To regulate the rate at which PLA breaks down during the composting process, a certain amount of dispersed TiO2 nanofiller may also be applied. The photocatalytic activity of the resulting nanocomposites was investigated by monitoring the degradation of methyl orange and malachite green. The PLA/ TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit antibacterial properties as indicated by their zone of inhibition with in addition, PLA/ TiO2 nanoparticles. decrease the amount of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), indicating up to 17 mm diameter. Their anti -virulence and bio film inhibitory nature, indicating it's potential application as surface disinfectant.

Development of Sustainable Bio-Based Polymers as Alternatives to Petrochemical Plastics

The 21st century is witnessing a paradigm shift in material science and industry due to the increasing environmental concerns associated with traditional petrochemical plastics. This shift has propelled the exploration and development of sustainable alternatives, among which bio-based polymers have emerged as promising contenders. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the development of sustainable bio-based polymers as alternatives to petrochemical plastics, elucidating their production methods, distinctive properties, diverse applications, and environmental ramifications. The contemporary ubiquity of petrochemical plastics has been accompanied by a myriad of environmental concerns, ranging from resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions to the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. The exponential growth in plastic production and consumption has led to the accumulation of plastic waste in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, posing significant threats to biodiversity and human health. Thus, the imperative for sustainable alternatives has become increasingly urgent. Bio-based polymers, derived from renewable biological sources, offer a compelling solution to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts associated with petrochemical plastics. The paper navigates through various sources of bio-based polymers, including plant-based materials, microbial sources, and valorization of waste streams. Each source presents distinct advantages and challenges, shaping the landscape of bio-based polymer research and development. Production methods of bio-based polymers encompass a diverse array of techniques, including biomass conversion, fermentation processes, chemical synthesis, and incorporation of biodegradable additives. Understanding these methods is crucial for optimizing polymer properties and scalability while minimizing environmental footprints. Properties and applications of bio-based polymers span a broad spectrum, from mechanical and thermal properties to barrier properties crucial for packaging applications. The versatility of bio-based polymers extends beyond packaging to textiles, automotive components, biomedical devices, and more, underpinning their potential to revolutionize diverse industries. Yet, the adoption of bio-based polymers is not devoid of challenges. Technological hurdles, economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and consumer acceptance represent key obstacles that must be addressed to accelerate the transition towards bio-based plastics. Moreover, a comprehensive assessment of the environmental implications and sustainability metrics is indispensable to ensure that bio-based polymers fulfill their promise as truly sustainable alternatives. This paper serves as a roadmap for navigating the complex terrain of sustainable bio-based polymers, offering insights into their development, applications, and environmental implications. By elucidating the opportunities and challenges inherent in the transition towards bio-based plastics, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on combating plastic pollution and fostering a more sustainable future for generations to come.

A review of bioplastics as an alternative to petrochemical plastics: Its types, structure, characteristics, degradation, standards, and feedstocks

AbstractPlastic is a widely available material in every aspect of life, and its long‐term usage is an important threat to the environment. An enormous quantity of plastic waste has been discharged into the environment throughout the world, resulting in global white pollution. The weathering of accumulated plastic waste in the environment, which can further break down into small fragments like microplastics and nanoplastics, will harm the ecosystem and humans. Therefore, the production and disposal of plastics need to be considered. Bioplastics are increasingly being used as an alternative to conventional plastics; their primary purpose is to solve pollution‐related problems with plastics. Bioplastics (BPs) are an adequate substitute for traditional plastics since they have less carbon footprint and are readily biodegradable, but not all bioplastics can degrade entirely in the natural environment. Due to less environmental impact, bioplastics are defined as polymers produced by using renewable feedstocks or by microorganisms. BP has a wide range of applications in the medical, automotive, and food packaging industries, and it has the potential impact on effect of development of low‐carbon environment. The standards bioplastics must meet to be called compostable or biodegradable are determined by certified worldwide standard processes. The primary purpose of this review is to focus on bioplastics as an alternative tool to plastic—its types, structure, characteristics, degradation behavior, standard techniques, feedstock used for the production of bioplastic, process for its development, and limitation of bioplastics.

Valorisation of food waste into bio-based polyurethane rigid foams: From experimental investigation to techno-economic analysis

Food waste (FW) constitutes a significant portion of municipal solid waste and thus requires proper treatment. A ‘waste-to-wealth’ concept, in this case, urges the valorisation of FW to produce value-added products, given that such waste contains significant quantities of diverse nutrients. While most of these efforts have been focused on the recovery of carbohydrates, this paper introduces an FW biorefinery scheme to valorise FW lipids (FWLs) into bio-based polyols for polyurethane rigid foams (PURF). Considering economic viability, cost-effective dosages of enzymes for FW hydrolysis were first investigated. Subsequently, the obtained FWLs were converted into bio-based polyols through stepwise epoxidation and oxirane ring-opening. Characterisation results showed that FW hydrolysis aided the development of FWL-derived polyols into PURF. Moreover, the obtained PURF exhibited excellent properties that are suitable for thermal insulation applications in the fields of civil engineering and appliances. A further techno-economic analysis demonstrated a promising profitability of valorising FW into PURF. Proven as material-intensive, critical cost drivers of the proposed valorisation scheme mainly included the price of the PURF and the chemicals required for the synthesis. The FW processing rate also significantly influenced the economic viability. By providing a successful valorisation pathway from FW to PURF and highlighting vital economic variables, this work aims to provide insights to promote the sustainable development of FW biorefineries and relevant bio-based polymer industries.

Towards natural care products: Structural and deposition studies of bio-based polymer and surfactant mixtures

Oppositely charged polymer-surfactant systems are expected to interact with formation of coacervate complexes near composition of charge-neutrality. Such behaviour is widely used in formulated products (e.g. household and personal care), where the co-deposition of coacervates and active ingredients on various surfaces is triggered by dilution. A transition towards the use of more sustainable ingredients is currently ongoing as a response to the need of more environmentally conscious choices in production, albeit slowed down by the often more complex and not fully understood bulk and interfacial behaviour of new ingredients. In this work, mixtures of a medium-chain fatty acid (sodium decanoate) and two grades of bio-based cationic modified inulin were studied. The phase behaviour was determined in a wide composition matrix. The formation of coacervate complexes was observed for the mixture with the higher charge density polymer at a surfactant concentration of 1–3 wt%, close to the surfactant critical micellar concentration in pure water. Such behaviour was confirmed by DLS and SAXS data, suggesting surfactant-polymer complexation in a concentrated phase of packed micelles with a micelle-to-micelle distance of ∼4.5 nm. In situ ellipsometry and neutron reflectometry experiments were conducted to study the effect on surface deposition when diluting. The ellipsometry showed an adsorbed mass of ∼1.3–1.9 mg/m2, consistent with the deposition of a coacervate layer, and considerably higher than the neat, adsorbed polymer layer of ∼0.3 mg/m2. In the case of the neutron reflectometry experiments, dilution was performed before contact with the surface (pre-mixing), and no adsorption of coacervates was observed, but rather the adsorption of a polymer layer (0.49–0.85 mg/m2). The different results obtained with the different techniques highlight the kinetic nature of bulk coacervate formation and deposition, and the competition between these two phenomena. Maximal deposition can be achieved if one can control this time window either by tuning the composition of the system or the experimental set-up, to mimic the conditions of a specific application.

4-Vinyl Guaiacol: A Key Intermediate for Biobased Polymers.

In order to contribute to the shift from petro-based chemistry to biobased chemistry, necessary to minimize the environmental impacts of the chemical industry, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (4-vinyl guaiacol, 4VG) was used to synthesize a platform of biobased monomers. Thus, nine biobased monomers were successfully prepared. The synthesis procedures were investigated through the green metrics calculations in order to quantify the sustainability of our approaches. Their radical homopolymerization in toluene solution initiated by 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) was studied and the effect of residual 4VG as a radical inhibitor on the kinetics of polymerization was also explored. The new homopolymers were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography and thermal analyses (dynamical scanning calorimetry DSC, thermal gravimetric analysis TGA). By varying the length of the alkyl ester or ether group of the 4VG derivatives, homopolymers with Tg ranging from 117 °C down to 5 °C were obtained. These new biobased monomers could be implemented in radical copolymerization as substitutes to petro-based monomers to decrease the carbon footprint of the resulting copolymers for various applications.

Multi-level toxicity assessment of polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics on the cladoceran Daphnia magna

The accumulation of plastics waste in the environment has raised a worrisome concern, moving the society to seek out for sustainable solutions, such as the transition from the use of fossil-based, conventional plastics to bioplastics (BPs). However, once in the environment bioplastics have the same probability to accumulate and experience weathering processes than conventional plastics, leading to the formation of microplastics (MPs). However, to date the information on the potential toxicity of MPs originated from the weathering of bioplastics is limited. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the adverse effects induced by the exposure to MPs made of a bioplastic polymer, the polylactic acid (PLA), towards the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna. Organisms were exposed for 21 days to three concentrations (0.125 µg/mL, 1.25 µg/mL and 12.5 µg/mL) of PLA microplastics (hereafter PLA-MPs). A multi-level approach was performed to investigate the potential effects through the biological hierarchy, starting from the sub-individual up to the individual level. At the sub-individual level, changes in the oxidative status (i.e., the amount of reactive oxygen species and the activity of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes) and oxidative damage (i.e., lipid peroxidation) were explored. Moreover, the total caloric content as well as the content of protein, carbohydrate and lipid content assess were used to investigate the effects on energy reserves. At individual level the changes in swimming activity (i.e., distance moved and swimming speed) were assessed. Our results showed that the exposure to PLA-MPs induced a slight modulation in the oxidative status and energy reserves, leading to an increase in swimming behavior of treated individuals compared to control conspecifics. These results suggest that the exposure to MPs made of a bioplastic polymer can induce adverse effects similar to those caused by conventional polymers.

Use of carboxymethyl cellulose as binder for the production of water-soluble catalysts

Bio-based polymers are materials of high interest given the harmful environmental impact that involves the use of non-biodegradable fossil products for industrial applications. These materials are also particularly interesting as bio-based ligands for the preparation of metal nanoparticles (MNPs), employed as catalysts for the synthesis of high value chemicals. In the present study, Ru (0) and Rh(0) Metal Nanoparticles supported on Sodium Carboxymethyl cellulose (MNP(0)s-CMCNa) were prepared by simply mixing RhCl3x3H2O or RuCl3 with an aqueous solution of CMCNa, followed by NaBH4 reduction. The formation of MNP(0)s-CMCNa was confirmed by FT-IR and XRD, and their size estimated to be around 1.5 and 2.2 nm by TEM analysis. MNP(0)s-CMCNa were employed for the hydrogenation of (E)-cinnamic aldehyde, furfural and levulinic acid. Hydrogenation experiments revealed that CMCNa is an excellent ligand for the stabilization of Rh(0) and Ru(0) nanoparticles allowing to obtain high conversions (>90 %) and selectivities (>98 %) with all substrates tested. Easy recovery by liquid/liquid extraction allowed to separate the catalyst from the reaction products, and recycling experiments demonstrated that MNPs-CS were highly efficiency up to three times in best hydrogenation conditions.

Advanced and sustainable manufacturing methods of polymer-based membranes for gas separation: a review

The fabrication of membranes for gas separation presents challenges that hinder their deployment as a truly sustainable technology. This review systematically explores the evolution and advancements in materials and manufacturing methods of polymer-based membranes, with a keen emphasis on sustainability and efficiency. The review delineates a broad spectrum of manufacturing techniques, ranging from traditional methods to cutting-edge approaches such as layer-by-layer assembly, and green synthesis, highlighting their implications for environmental sustainability, performance enhancement, scalability, and economic viability. Key findings indicate a significant shift towards greener solvents, bio-based polymers and processes that reduce waste and costs. Critical analysis uncovers a growing focus on understanding the life cycle of membranes and developing strategies for end-of-life such as recycling and the use of biodegradable materials, underscoring the commitment of the community to minimizing environmental footprints.

The application of renewable materials in green chemistry

Natural substances that are capable of being replaced or renewed over the course of a human lifetime or over a relatively short amount of time through natural processes are referred to as material that is renewable. Due to the fact that these materials are both sustainable and favorable to the environment, they are frequently used in a variety of industries, including the building industry, the textile industry, the energy industry, and the packaging industry. Given the circumstances, it is quite probable that this will have a profound effect on the future of humanity. Renewable materials commonly encompass biomass, bio-based polymers, natural fibers, wood, and lumber. The main focus of the study is to explore the utilization of renewable materials in green chemistry, namely biomass-sourced renewable materials, as well as other renewable materials such as food waste, recyclable plastics, and paper. This paper provides an in-depth review of the advantages and challenges related to renewable materials in the realm of green chemistry.