Plasticizer In Blends Research Articles

A Multifunctional Bio‐Based Polyester Material Integrated with High Mechanical Performance, Gas Barrier Performance, and Chemically Closed‐Loop

AbstractThe development of multifunctional bio‐based materials with closed‐loop chemically recyclable plastics can be a paramount response to the worldwide plastic waste predicament. However, the trade‐off dilemma between the high performance and easy recycling performance of these materials still encounters huge challenges. In this contribution, inspired by the significant contribution of the hydrogen bonding networks to enhanced mechanical and gas barrier performance as well as the cosolvents to enhance recycling performance, a novel polyester material (PBHyF) synthesized by bio‐based monomers that integrate high‐performance and efficient chemical closed‐loop is presented. PBHyF show ultra‐high mechanical properties (83.2 MPa, 233.9%) and barrier properties (CO2 0.0157 barrer, O2 0.0071 barrer, H2O 5.518E‐15 g·cm/cm2·s·Pa) that are greater than bio‐based materials and most engineering plastics of previous work. More significantly, PBHyF also exhibits multifunctionality with excellent ultraviolet shielding properties, solvent‐resistant properties, and easy recycling performance. The initial monomers of PBHyF can be obtained in exceptional yields (>90.0%) and purity (>99.0%) under mild conditions by a simple energy‐efficient rapid chemical‐solvolysis strategy, even with polyolefin blend plastics. Further possesses similar high‐performance repolymerized polyester comparable to the polyester before recycling. Hence, these state‐of‐art high‐performance and easy‐recycling bio‐based materials provide a new approach for a green, sustainable material economy.

Co-hydrothermal carbonization of polystyrene waste and maize stover combined with KOH activation to develop nanoporous carbon as catalyst support for catalytic hydrotreating of palm oil

Plastic waste is massively generated daily from households, mainly as packaging material, causing serious surrounding ecological problems. The development of plastic waste for higher value-added applications instead of landfilling and incineration has received consideration interest in bioenergy and material science research. Herein, a nanoporous carbon support of nickel phosphide catalyst for palm oil hydrotreating was developed from blended polystyrene waste and maize stover via the Co-hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) coupled with the KOH activation process. The Co-HTC parameters, such as temperature, reaction time, and PS percentage, were studied on the properties of co-hydrochar feedstocks for further activation using the Box behnken design. From the comprehensive characterization results, response surface methodology (RSM) results showed that the rising polystyrene proportion significantly exhibited the higher production yield and fixed carbon of co-hydrochar products, an essential characteristic for porous carbon manufacturing. After activation step, the final nanoporous carbon derived from the co-hydrochar (PMPC) exhibited the highest specific surface area of 1033.58 m2/g with total pore volume of 0.45 cm3/g. Moreover, the PCMC-supported nickel phosphide catalysts were successfully synthesized and tested for the catalytic hydrotreating of palm oil as alternative catalyst. The NiP-PMPC catalyst represents an impressive liquid hydrocarbon yield of 74.68 % with a high green diesel selectivity of 85.92 % at 100 % palm oil conversion. The findings of this study might help develop and utilize blended plastic waste and agricultural waste as an alternate catalytic support for various processes in biofuel and biochemical synthesis.

High-performance chemically recyclable multifunctional polyolefin-like biomass-derived polyester materials.

Polyolefins are the most widely used and produced petroleum-based plastics. Unfortunately, the enormous production and usage of traditional polyolefins, coupled with the lack of effective disposal or recycling options, have led to significant fossil fuel depletion and severe environmental pollution. To foster sustainable societal development, there is an urgent need to design high-performance and inherently recyclable polyolefin-like bio-derived materials by innovative structural and molecular designs. Here, inspired by a copolymerization molecular design approach that simultaneously confers recyclability and superior properties to materials, high-performance recyclable polyolefin-like bio-derived polyesters (PBCxS) enabled by a novel judicious combination of building blocks are reported. PBCxS display excellent mechanical (40.6 MPa, 498.4%) and gas barrier properties (O2 0.09 barrer, H2O 1.70 × 10-13 g cm cm-2 s-1 Pa-1), even greater than those of bio-based materials and most aliphatic polyester. Meanwhile, PBCxS also exhibit multifunctionality with excellent biocompatibility properties and ultra-high processability (thermoforming, extrusion spinning, and 3D printing processing). Notably, PBCxS undergo depolymerization in the absence of any additional organic solvents, regenerating 92.0% of the high-purity (98.3%) original monomers, even with polyolefin blend plastics. Repolymerized polyesters still maintain their exceptional mechanical and thermal qualities. The successful application of this approach in polyesters opens up exciting possibilities for designing high-performance and recyclable bio-derived polyolefin-like materials.

Spectral Classification of Large-Scale Blended (Micro)Plastics Using FT-IR Raw Spectra and Image-Based Machine Learning.

Microplastics (MPs) are currently recognized as emerging pollutants; their identification and classification are therefore essential during their monitoring and management. In contrast to most studies based on small datasets and library searches, this study developed and compared four machine learning-based classifiers and two large-scale blended plastic datasets, where a 1D convolutional neural network (CNN), decision tree, and random forest (RF) were fed with raw spectral data from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while a 2D CNN used the corresponding spectral images as the input. With an overall accuracy of 96.43% on a small dataset and 97.44% on a large dataset, the 1D CNN outperformed other models. The 1D CNN was the best at predicting environment samples, while the RF was the most robust with less spectral data. Overall, RF and 2D CNNs might be evaluated for plastic identification with fewer spectral data; however, 1D CNNs were thought to be the most effective with sufficient spectral data. Accordingly, an open-source MP spectroscopic analysis tool was developed to facilitate a quick and accurate analysis of existing MP samples.

Fabrication of biodegradable blend plastic from konjac glucomannan/zein/ PVA and understanding its multi-scale structure and physicochemical properties

Exploration and synthesis of degradable plastics can alleviate and avoid environmental pollution induced by petroleum-based plastics. In this study, a konjac glucomannan (KGM)/zein/PVA ternary blend plastic was successfully prepared by casting. The results showed that, despite the presence of particle aggregation from incompatible components in blend plastic, the addition of KGM and zein improved its compatibility which is consistent with the formation of continuous dark regions and the reduction of roughness average (Ra) results in the AFM characterization. Also, XRD and FT-IR results indicated that the addition of KGM and zein disrupted the molecular and crystalline structure of PVA, induced stretching vibration of alcohol and hydroxyl groups, and crystallinity reduction. In addition, KGM deacetylation (d-KGM) reduced the intramolecular hydroxyl groups, reduced the water absorption and water vapor transmission rate of the blend plastics, and increased the crystallization temperature (Tc) and melting temperature (Tm). Furthermore, the blended plastics exhibited the best tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), and elastic modulus (EM) when the proportion of KGM to zein was 9:1. Notably, the blended plastic with KGM and zein added displayed more pores and cracks after soil burial, implying that the lack of degradability of pure PVA plastic was improved.

Aging of biodegradable blended plastic generates microplastics and attached bacterial communities in air and aqueous environments

The use of biodegradable plastics (BPs) has been widely promoted in recent years, but before their complete degradation, the phase of microplastics (MPs) is inevitable. However, little information concerning the production of MPs from blended polymers is available. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of MPs produced from blended plastics and the development of biofilms on plastic surfaces under long-term aging. Here, three blended materials (i.e., PBAT (53%)+PLA (10%)+Starch (20%), PBAT (80%)+Starch (20%), HDPE (60%)+CaCO3 (40%)) were aged for 90 days in air, deionized (DI) water and seawater. The results showed massive production of MPs (9653 ± 3920–20,348 ± 5857 items/g) from blended plastics accompanied by a large quantity of flocculent substances during 90 days aging period. Furthermore, the richness of bacteria communities on hydrophobic plastics (i.e., PBAT (53%)+PLA (10%)+Starch (20%), PBAT (80%)+Starch (20%)) was higher than hydrophilic plastics (i.e., HDPE (60%)+CaCO3 (40%)), and bacterial communities attached to blended plastics exhibited significantly variation with aging times. Overall, promoting the marketable application of blended plastics is risky if their environmental behavior is not effectively addressed.

Utilization of LDPE plastic waste on the quality of pyrolysis oil as an asphalt solvent alternative

Natural asphalt cannot be used directly because of hardness and low penetration, so it needs to be softened with a solvent. A solvent that can be used is from oil plastic pyrolysis as an alternative additive. Plastics are now an inseparable item from daily necessities and are the largest pollutant on the environment. Plastic is a polymer that is difficult to be decomposed, and one way to decompose it is through pyrolysis or thermal cracking. This research studies the quality effect of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics waste on the quantity and quality of oil yield produced through the pyrolysis process in the three reactor outlets. LDPE plastics waste used was distinguished: LDPE-White, LDPE Mixed-plastic, and LDPE Blend-plastic. The results showed that, in the process of plastic pyrolysis LDPE, in addition to affecting the yield of produced oil, the quality of plastic is also influenced by the length of time of pyrolysis. The better the quality of the plastic is, the higher the oil yield and the shorter the pyrolysis times are. LDPE plastic pyrolysis at 250 °C produces the maximum yield. Most oil yields, namely 99.78%, 75.60%, and 50.29% were produced by LDPE white plastics, mixed plastics, and blend plastics, respectively, when pyrolyzed for 110, 180, and 270 min. The economic yields of each plastic of 88.78%, 60.68%, and 40.35% were generated if each was hydrolyzed for 60, and 80 min.

Gasification of blended coal, biomass and plastic wastes to produce hydrogen (DOE)

Gasification of blended coal, biomass and plastic wastes to produce hydrogen (DOE)

Reclaiming Waste Rubber for a Green Environment

Waste rubber composes a burden on the environment. Consumed rubber does not degrade easily, and disposing of this waste is not a facile process. Worn out tire rubber forms a considerable section of the urban waste materials. It is able to be ground and known as ground tire rubber (GTR). It is favored to be devulcanized before being blended with organic or inorganic materials. (GTR) is able to constitute compatible blends or composites with polymers that possess appropriate mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. Devulcanization process of waste rubber takes place by means of mechanical, mechano-chemical, or thermal treatment. Moreover, induced irradiation such as gamma or ultraviolet and accelerated electrons radiation(s) can assist in devulcanizing waste rubber by breaking the bonds which arose previously during the vulcanization process. Radiation is able to modify waste rubber by grafting its surface for an enhanced interfacial adhesion between it and the blended plastic or rubber. Loading GTR as a filler in composites contributes to lowering the cost of the resulting materials. In addition, modifying GTR can improve the performance of the composites in which they contribute. In this review, we aim to employ reclaimed waste rubber for a greener environment with better waste management procedures.

Performance Test on Compression Ignition Engine by Blending Ethanol and Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Oil with Cetane Additive

The demand for diesel fuel is higher than that of petrol throughout the world hence seeking alternative to mineral diesel is a natural choice. Alternative fuels should be easily available at lower cost, environment friendly and fulfill energy needs without modifying engine’s operational parameters. Waste to energy is the trend in the selection of alternate fuels. In this work, Waste Plastic Pyrolysis oil (WPPO), Ethanol, Diesel blend with Cetane additive has been attempted as an alternative fuel. A Twin cylinder, Direct Injection engine was used to assess the engine performance and emission characteristics of waste plastic pyrolysis oil with cetane additive. Experimental results of blended plastic fuel and diesel fuel were compared.

Selective separation of ABS/PC containing BFRs from ABSs mixture of WEEE by developing hydrophilicity with ZnO coating under microwave treatment

This study reports a simple and facile method to separate plastic wastes of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and ABS-based plastics (blends of ABS) in waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) by froth flotation after inducing hydrophilization by ZnO coating under microwave treatment. ABS-based plastics containing brominated flame retardants (BFRs) can release hazardous substances, such as hydrogen bromide and brominated dioxins, during disposal or recycling activities. ABS and ABS-based plastics are typical styrene plastics with similar properties and it is, therefore, difficult to separate them selectively for recycling. We used 2-min microwave treatment to rearrange and change the molecular mobility on the surface of the ZnO-coated ABS with increased hydrophilic surfaces, which eased the selective separation of the ABS/polycarbonate (PC) blend containing BFRs from the remaining plastics. Therefore, the combined ZnO coating and microwave treatments can facilitate the selective separation of ABS/PC blend plastics with a recovery and purity of 100% and 91.7%, respectively, in a short flotation time of 2min. Based on these findings, the combination of ZnO coating-microwave treatment and froth flotation can be applied for the selective separation of ABS-based plastics, leading to improved plastic recycling quality.

Effect of Processing Method on Thermal Behavior in PLA/PEG Melt Blending

The dispersion of PEG acts as plasticizer in PLA blends were investigated using thermal analysis. The comparisons were made between two melt processing method, twin screw extruder and two-roll mills to study how it will affect theTg,TcandTmof blends in DSC analysis. The TGA behavior was also studied for two-roll mills processing method to confirm the effect of PEG loading in PLA on degradation and amount of residue left after analysis. In DSC analysis, it can be seen clearly, the PEG loading decreased the glass transition temperature in all blends compares to neat PLA. For twin screw extruder blending, the crystallization peak existed for some blend. It was difference for two-roll mills blends where the crystallization peak absent in all blends with PEG loading. The presence of PEG gave no significant variation on melting temperature peak for both processing method.

The effect of poly(ethylene glycol) as plasticizer in blends of poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene succinate)

ABSTRACTThe effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blends was examined. Overall, it was found that PEG acted as an effective plasticizer for the PLA phase in these microphase‐separated blends, increasing the elongation at break in all blends and decreasing the Tg of the PLA phase. Significant effects on other properties were also observed. The tensile strength and Young's modulus both decreased with increasing PEG content in the blends. In contrast, the elongation at break increased with the addition of PEG, suggesting that PEG acted as a plasticizer in the polymer blends. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the fracture mode of PLA changed from brittle to ductile with the addition of PEG in the polymer blends. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43044.

Poly(3-hydroxypropionate): a promising alternative to fossil fuel-based materials.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are storage compounds synthesized by numerous microorganisms and have attracted the interest of industry since they are biobased and biodegradable alternatives to fossil fuel-derived plastics. Among PHAs, poly(3-hydroxypropionate) [poly(3HP)] has outstanding material characteristics and exhibits a large variety of applications. As it is not brittle like, e.g., the best-studied PHA, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [poly(3HB)], it can be used as a plasticizer in blends to improve their properties. Furthermore, 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HP) is considered likely to become one of the new industrial building blocks, and it can be obtained from poly(3HP) by simple hydrolysis. Unfortunately, no natural organism is known to accumulate poly(3HP) so far. Thus, several efforts have been made to engineer genetically modified organisms capable of synthesizing the homopolymer or copolymers containing 3HP. In this review, the achievements made so far in efforts to obtain biomass which has accumulated poly(3HP) or 3HP-containing copolymers, as well as the properties of these polyesters and their applications, are compiled and evaluated.

MANUFACTURE OF PLASTICS FILM CONTAINING OF POLYSTIRENE, POLYCAPROLACTONE, POLY(3-HIDROKSIBUTYRATE-CO-3- HIDROXYVALERATE) AND BIODEGRADATION STUDY IN OCEAN WATER

ABSTRACTThe manufacture of a biodegradable plastics film containing of polymer synthetic polystyrene(PS) and biopolymer of polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)[P(3HB-ko-3HV)] and biodegradation study in ocean water has been carried out. Plastics filmcontaining of PS/PCL/P(3HB-ko-3HV) produced by blending techniques followed by solventcasting with ratios were of 100/0/0, 95/5/0, 95/0/5, 90/5/5, 85/10/5, 85/5/10. This testing wasconducted based on immersion test method recommend by American Society for Testing andMaterials. Poly blend plastics film PS/PCL/P(3HB-ko-3HV) were characterized by tensilestrength, thermal properties and SEM analysis. The profiles of the rate biodegradation view byweight reduction of the tested plastic film for 1-7 weeks period. Tensile strength analysisshowed the decreasing of tensile strength with the addition of P(3HB-ko-3HV). Thermalanalysis showed a decreasing in the melting point with the addition of PCL and P(3HB-co-3HV). SEM micrograph showed the destruction occurred and erosion at surface of plastic filmduring observation time. The rate of biodegradation showed that increasing of PCL and P (3HBco-3HV) in a mixture of plastic film, so biodegradation increased.Keywords: polystyrene, polycaprolactone, poly(3-hidroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate),biodegradation, film plastic.

Biodegradability and Mechanical Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Blend Plastics Prepared Through Extrusion Method

Plastic blend materials consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol), glycerol and xanthan or gellan were prepared through laboratory extrusion. Their base mechanical properties were compared with the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) foil and their biodegradability in soil, compost and both activated and anaerobic sludge were assessed. In samples with lower polysaccharide content (10–21 %w/w) the tensile strength of 15–20 MPa was found; the elongation at break of all blends was relatively close to the parameter of poly(vinyl alcohol) foil. The biodegradability levels of the blends tested corresponded to the content of natural components, and the mineralization of the samples with the highest carbohydrate proportion (42 %) reached 50–78 %, depending on the type of the environment. Complete biodegradation of all samples occurred in activated sludge.

Mechanical Properties, Biodegradation and Water Vapor Permeability of Blend Films of Soy Protein Isolate and Poly (vinyl alcohol) Compatibilized by Glycerol

Novel blend films of soy protein isolate (SPI) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) compatibilized by glycerol were fabricated by preparing a solution, and then casting it on a Teflon-coated metal sheet. Mechanical, biodegradation and water vapor permeability of the blend properties were systematically investigated with various methods. SEM analysis results release that the SPI/PVA/glycerol film degrades at a slower rate than pure SPI. The mechanical test showed that the stress at yield point, stress at break point and Young’s modulus were decreased and percentage elongation at yield point and percentage elongation at break point and of SPI/PVA were increased obviously than pure SPI films. The blend plastics were softened and became semi-rigid contributing to the plasticization of glycerol and the crystalline partion of PVA was destroyed by glycerol. Water vapor permeability of SPI/PVA/glycerol showed the minimum at the component of SPI/PVA (100/35) compatibilized by 3.5% of glycerol.

Polymer blends used for the aqueous coating of solid dosage forms: importance of the type of plasticizer

The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of the type of plasticizer in polymer blends used for the coating of solid dosage forms, comparing a lipophilic and a hydrophilic plasticizer (dibutyl sebacate (DBS) and triethyl citrate (TEC)). In vitro drug release from propranolol hydrochloride (propranolol HCl)-loaded pellets coated with blends of ethyl cellulose (EC) and Eudragit® L (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 w/w) was investigated at low as well as at high pH. To better understand the underlying mass transport mechanisms, the physicochemical properties of the film coatings (e.g. mechanical resistance, water uptake and dry weight loss behavior) were determined. Interestingly, drug release strongly depended on the type of plasticizer. Importantly, not only the slope but also the shape of the release curves was affected, indicating that the chemical nature of the plasticizer plays a major role for the underlying drug release mechanisms. Diffusion through the intact polymer coatings and/or through water-filled cracks was found to be dominating for the control of drug release. The relative importance of these pathways strongly depended on the polymer blend ratio and type of plasticizer. In contrast to DBS, TEC rapidly leached out of the coatings, resulting in decreasing mechanical resistances of the films and, thus, facilitated crack formation. In addition, the hydrophilicity of the plasticizer significantly affected the water uptake behavior of the film coatings and, hence, changes in the coatings' toughness and drug permeability. Also the relative affinity of the plasticizer to the different polymers was found to be of significance. In contrast to TEC, DBS has a higher affinity to EC than to Eudragit® L, resulting in potential redistributions of this plasticizer within the polymeric systems and changes in the release profiles during storage. Importantly, these effects could be avoided with appropriate curing conditions and preparation techniques for the coating dispersions.

Effects of lignin as a filler on properties of soy protein plastics. II. Alkaline lignin

AbstractBlend plastics based on soy protein isolate (SPI) strengthened with alkaline lignin (AL) in the weight ratio of 10:0 to 5:5 were prepared with 40 wt % glycerol as a plasticizer by compression molding. The structure and mechanical properties of the blends were investigated by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and tensile tests. The results indicated that the introduction of AL could effectively increase the tensile strength and Young's modulus, thermal stability, and elongation of the compositive plastics when the AL content ranged from 10 to 20 parts. Moreover, the blend plastics containing 50 parts AL exhibited maximum tensile strength (1.98 MPa) and much higher than that with the SP–AL0 sheet with AL alone (0.89 MPa). In addition, tests of water absorption proved that the introduction of hydrophobic AL effectively reduced water absorption and, hence, decreased water sensibility. Therefore, AL, a relatively low‐cost filler, plays a major role in enhancing the strength and water resistivity of soy protein plastics. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 3291–3297, 2003

Structures and Physical Properties of Poly (vinyl alcohol) : Sericin Blended Plastic

Structures and Physical Properties of Poly (vinyl alcohol) : Sericin Blended Plastic