Organic Plastics Research Articles

Influence of cold plasma treatment on the PS/TiO2 film’s optical properties of nanocomposite surfaces

Organic plastics have been used due to their impressive chemical and mechanical properties, though, there is still room for improvement to achieve higher dielectric permittivity. In the present work, the blank polystyrene (PS) was doped with nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) at different ratios (1 %, 2 %, and 3 %) employing the casting method. The blank PS and nanocomposite films of PS/TiO2 have been exposed to the cold DBD plasma system. Subsequently, calculations including the absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction factor, energy gap, and dielectric constant (real and imaginary) were conducted. Results show that the absorption coefficient and refractive index were increased, and the extinction factor was decreased due to the high absorption. Real dielectric constant increased after the doping process, while the imaginary dielectric constant had minimal values in loss of absorption indicating small losses in absorption. The XRD examination shows semi-crystalline and crystalline structures. Applying this method might have a broad application in various devices used in cutting-edge electronics.

Mechanical Characteristics of Organic Waste-Based Biodegradable Plastics with Variations in Cellulose Concentration and Synthesis Temperature

Biodegradable plastic is an innovative plastic material that is environmentally friendly because it has the property of being easily decomposed naturally by the activity of microorganisms. Biodegradable plastics are generally made from starch and cellulose which are natural polymer materials that are easily decomposed in nature. Some organic wastes contain a lot of starch and cellulose, one of which is cassava peel and corn cob waste. In this study, starch from cassava peels was used as raw material in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics and cellulose from corn cobs which functioned as filler. The purpose of this study are to determine the effect of corn cob cellulose concentration and synthesis temperature on the mechanical properties and biodegradability of biodegradable plastics. In this study, the method used to make biodegradable plastic is by using the material mixing method. There are two treatment factors, namely variations in corn cob cellulose concentration of 0%, 1%, and 2% and synthesis temperature with variations of 70˚C, 80˚C, and 90˚C. The results showed the best characteristics for the tensile strength test at the addition of 2% of cellulose concentration and 90˚C synthesis temperature of 2.31 MPa. While the best elongation value is at 0% cellulose concentration and 90˚C synthesis temperature of 21%. The best biodegradation results were obtained from the addition of a cellulose concentration of 2% and synthesis temperature of 70˚C which decomposed perfectly in the soil for 8 days

A synthetic biology approach for the treatment of pollutants with microalgae.

The increase in global population and industrial development has led to a significant release of organic and inorganic pollutants into water streams, threatening human health and ecosystems. Microalgae, encompassing eukaryotic protists and prokaryotic cyanobacteria, have emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for removing these pollutants and mitigating carbon emissions. Various microalgae species, such as C. vulgaris, P. tricornutum, N. oceanica, A. platensis, and C. reinhardtii, have demonstrated their ability to eliminate heavy metals, salinity, plastics, and pesticides. Synthetic biology holds the potential to enhance microalgae-based technologies by broadening the scope of treatment targets and improving pollutant removal rates. This review provides an overview of the recent advances in the synthetic biology of microalgae, focusing on genetic engineering tools to facilitate the removal of inorganic (heavy metals and salinity) and organic (pesticides and plastics) compounds. The development of these tools is crucial for enhancing pollutant removal mechanisms through gene expression manipulation, DNA introduction into cells, and the generation of mutants with altered phenotypes. Additionally, the review discusses the principles of synthetic biology tools, emphasizing the significance of genetic engineering in targeting specific metabolic pathways and creating phenotypic changes. It also explores the use of precise engineering tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9 and TALENs, to adapt genetic engineering to various microalgae species. The review concludes that there is much potential for synthetic biology based approaches for pollutant removal using microalgae, but there is a need for expansion of the tools involved, including the development of universal cloning toolkits for the efficient and rapid assembly of mutants and transgenic expression strains, and the need for adaptation of genetic engineering tools to a wider range of microalgae species.

Household Solid Wastes: Collection and Disposal Methods in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Objectives: This study was to assess the composition and quantity of solid wastes and their collection and disposal methods in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Method: A total of 420 well-structured questionnaires (in English language) were administered to consenting participants to obtain information on methods of waste collection and disposal. Secondary data such as waste characteristics and types generated were collected from the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) records from January to December 2020. Results: Proportion of solid wastes generated in AMAC were in the order Food and other organic wastes, Papers, water sachets, plastics, metals, glass and textiles, 46.23%, 20.27%, 13.23%, 8.53%, 4.88%, 4.37% and 2.45% respectively. On waste collection, significant 55.71% proportion of the respondents choose government-approved bins, 25.23% use household items while 19.04% employed commercial waste collectors (X2 = 32.5454, df= 12, P= 0.00113). An insignificant 47.4% of the respondents in the study claimed to patronize only government approved dumpsites in disposing off their household wastes, 24.5% at any available open spaces while 24.3% dumped their wastes in their private backyards, 3.80% disposed the wastes in drainages (X2 = 18.8314, df= 18, P= 0.4022). Conclusion: This study successfully achieved the objective for which it was set. This study successfully assessed the composition and quantity, collection and disposal methods of waste generated in AMAC, FCT, Nigeria.

Microplastic Pollution in Green Shells in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Literature Review of Determinant Factors and Management

Introduction: Water territories produce a large number of biota worldwide. The imbalance in conserving aquatic ecosystems, along with the increasing disposal of waste into the environment, has resulted in the risk of contamination of the environment and the resulting biota. The dangers of waste disposal into water can destroy the ecosystem and affect the usability of water for the environment and human beings. Discussion: The PRISMA method was used in this literature review, which examined 35 articles: 23 articles from ScienceDirect, 10 articles from Proquest, and 2 articles from PubMed. Data were analyzed by synthesizing the research variables compared with theory and then presented in the form of tables and figures. The results of this study are presented with a complete narrative description of three sub-discussions, which consisted of the characteristics of microplastics in green mussels (color, shape, size, and abundance). The color was acquired in the dark, with the predominant form of fibers <1 mm in size, which determined the amount of microplastics in green mussels induced by both human and industrial activities, as well as countermeasures through filtration of industrial effluents, the utilization of organic plastics, and policy enforcement. Conclusion: Microplastics found in green mussels in Asian waters vary in their characteristics, with the main determinants of human and industrial activities as well as multi-sectoral countermeasures.

Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste Generated in Some Egyptian Cities

Municipal solid waste (MSW) poses a cumulative problem related to many aspects, namely, social, economic, and cultural. Therefore, such a situation must be accompanied by the development of well-established management systems starting with the knowledge of MSW quantities, its quality and characterization and ending with a suitable landfilling technique. This work aims to characterize Egyptian municipal solid waste generated from two cities in Great Cairo, where 45 samples were collected regularly. The research was carried out by researchers in the Chemical Engineering Department at Cairo University and selected undergraduate students from October to December 2020. The collected MSW was characterized by evaluating the quality and quantity of generated waste. Selected properties considered were: composition (including the organic fraction, papers, plastics, textiles, metals, glass, and others), density, moisture content, calorific value, and Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulfer (CHNS) chemical elemental analysis. The results obtained showed that the organic fraction was dominant to other fractions (4287%) and the carbon content was more than 47% and the calorific values to range between 4360-12277 kJ/kg. The results obtained were used as a base for a waste management proposal, either from mass recovery for highrecyclable samples or energy recovery for high calorific value waste. In other circumstances, waste-to-energy WTE processes were recommended as a promising solution to developing countries in the world where the energy demand is essential for the life.

NOISE PROTECTION PRINCIPLES OF HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

One of the most effective means of combating the noise load from the highway is the installation of noise protection screens along the highway. They can be made of different materials, different in design and geometric parameters. Plexiglas sound-proof screens have become quite widespread on highways. Plexiglas is an environmentally friendly product based on polymethyl methacrylate. Its other name is acrylic, and it belongs to a type of artificial organic plastics. The basis of the material is thermoplastic acrylic resins, more precisely, one or more derivatives of a monobasic carboxylic acid. These are components that transmit light well. The chemical formula of acrylic is the same as that of plexiglass - (C5O2H8) n, but in addition, its composition includes many additives that add special properties to the thermoplastic structure, such as hardness, flexibility, resistance to mechanical loads and damage, as well as pigments necessary to obtain a specific color [1]. Currently, there are two types of material. Plexiglas XT - this product is made using an extruder. Under pressure, methyl methacrylate passes through the forming tool of the equipment, and products are obtained from the melt in the form of solid panels with a thickness of no more than 25 mm, as well as rods, rounded profiles, sheets with a wavy and reflective surface. Such plastic has increased elasticity and flexibility, it is easier to transform it into various forms, but at high temperature it gives a small estate, and its strength leaves much to be desired. Cast acrylic glass Plexiglas GS, obtained by polymerization at the stage of forming a blank from acrylic under the influence of an activator, is considered stronger. During this chemical process, the glass molecules line up in strong long chains, and thus the maximum strength of the product is achieved. Its common forms are pipes, blocks of different thicknesses, monolithic sheets that are resistant to deformation and aggressive environments. But the flexibility of this type is much lower than that of the extrusion version. In general, acrylic glass has increased impact strength, which is 5 times higher than that of ordinary glass. [1] The excellent characteristics of the product are due to its physical properties: ● insensitivity to sunlight, lack of color changes and desire; ● strength is higher than that of quartz glass; ● high light transmission and the ability to store heat due to low thermal conductivity; ● resistance to microorganisms, aggressive chemistry, large temperature range, moisture; ● lightness compared to ordinary glass with a minimum layer of 1 mm (the weight of 1 sq. m is only 1.2 kg); ● when burning, Plexiglas products do not emit harmful fumes, and the material does not form dangerous sharp fragments when damaged; ● the polymer is easy to cut and give it any necessary shape; ● the material is hygienic, does not require complex care, due to the fact that its surface is smooth, and dirt and dust particles do not accumulate on it. At the same time, this wonderful synthetic material has several disadvantages: products made of it are prone to external damage, and also catch fire easily

COMPARISON OF THE FUEL CALORIFIC VALUE FROM PLASTIC PYROLYSIS WITH COMMERCIAL FUEL

Plastic, which is originated from petrolum, is possible to turn it to alternative fuel. Moreover in 2008, the estimated amount of midden in Indonesia reached 38.5 million tons per year with the largest compositions are organic waste (58%), waste plastics (14%), waste paper (9%) and wood waste (4%) (Ministry of Environment, 2008). Meanwhile in Depok City, the amount of waste which goes to Depok City’s landfill waste is 350-400 tonnes / day (Head of Technical Unit Landscape Depok City Sanitation Department, 2012). From the data, above, can be confirmed using plastic waste as an alternative fuel can be superior because plastic waste is the raw material which is cheap, easily processed, and can reduce environmental pollution. The processing of plastic waste into fuel conversion is done using a plastic waste machine with a continuous system, the working principle of heating at high temperature. Tests which are conducted in this study is to test the octane rating by bomb calorie meter, test anylizer gas emissions, and test octane gas chromatography. Plastic waste fuel, which is the outcome from plastic waste conversion machine with continuous system, can be used as fuel for vehicles, it is because the plastic oil calorific value 10 519 cal / g equivalent calorific value premium. This research is expected to address the scarcity of fossil fuels, and increasing public awareness of using alternative fuel, especially plastic waste fuel.

Effects of long-term fertilization with contemporary Danish human urine, composted household waste and sewage sludge on soil nematode abundance and community structure

It is desirable to recycle the urban waste products human urine, composted household waste and sewage sludge as fertilizers to agricultural fields. This could minimize the use of NPK fertilizer, improve soil structure and store carbon. However, waste products may contain heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POP) and plastics, and there are concerns that long-term build-up of these substances will cause unwanted effects on soil health.Nematodes are ubiquitous and numerous in soil ecosystems. Abundance and community structure of soil nematodes can be used as indicators of soil health, as some species are vulnerable to pollution. There are well-developed methods for detecting environmental changes based on nematode community structure.At the long-term CRUCIAL field experiment, where alternative fertilizer products have been applied since 2003, we measured effects of long-term fertilization with human urine, composted household waste and sewage sludge on soil properties (pH, soil organic matter and nitrogen availability), abundance of soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, small protozoa and ciliates) and nematode trophic groups compared to plots with unfertilized, NPK and cattle manure treatment. Sampling and assessments were done three times during a growth season. Further, we assessed the composition of nematode communities using metabarcoding.Treatments with a high input of organic matter (cattle manure, composted household waste and sewage sludge) had high abundances of bacteria and thus bacterial grazers (small protozoa, ciliates, and bacterial feeding nematodes). We found a significant correlation between nematode community structure and pH and organic matter. We calculated the nematode Maturity Index 2–5 (pollution indicator) based on metabarcoding data, which did not differ significantly between the treatments.We conclude that long-term fertilization with different types of contemporary Danish urban waste products affects both soil properties and abundance of soil organisms, the latter largely reflecting the organic matter input of the fertilizer treatments. We found no adverse effect on nematode communities that could indicate pollution-induced stress on nematofauna or decreased soil fertility.

Constructing ultra-stable photothermal plastics assisted by carbon dots with photocaged reactivity

Constructing ultra-stable photothermal plastics assisted by carbon dots with photocaged reactivity

The influence of seabirds on their breeding, roosting and nesting grounds: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Seabird species world‐wide are integral to both marine and terrestrial environments, connecting the two systems by transporting vast quantities of marine‐derived nutrients and pollutants to terrestrial breeding, roosting and nesting grounds via the deposition of guano and other allochthonous inputs (e.g. eggs, feathers).We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis and provide insight into what types of nutrients and pollutants seabirds are transporting, the influence these subsidies are having on recipient environments, with a particular focus on soil, and what may happen if seabird populations decline.The addition of guano to colony soils increased nutrient levels compared to control soils for all seabirds studied, with cascading positive effects observed across a range of habitats. Deposited guano sometimes led to negative impacts, such as guanotrophication, or guano‐induced eutrophication, which was often observed where there was an excess of guano or in areas with high seabird densities.While the literature describing nutrients transported by seabirds is extensive, literature regarding pollutant transfer is comparatively limited, with a focus on toxic and bioaccumulative metals. Research on persistent organic pollutants and plastics transported by seabirds is likely to increase in coming years.Studies were limited geographically, with hotspots of research activity in a few locations, but data were lacking from large regions around the world. Studies were also limited to seabird species listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. As seabird populations are impacted by multiple threats and steep declines have been observed for many species world‐wide, gaps in the literature are particularly concerning. The loss of seabirds will impact nutrient cycling at localized levels and potentially on a global scale as well, yet it is unknown what may truly happen to areas that rely on seabirds if these populations disappear.

Investigate the Mechanical Properties of Soybean Oil Reinforced with ATH‐Filled Polyester‐Based Hybrid Nanocomposites

A mixed microbiologically composite made from natural Linum usitatissimum fibers with nano‐reinforced organic plastics can improve properties while being environmentally friendly. The inclusion of aluminium tris hydroxide particles into an organic polymer enables it to maintain stiffness without sacrificing durability, even while improving barriers and material characteristics. A study of numerous composite samples verified this complementary effect, with combinations including 10 percent EMS and 2.6 wt.% ATH retaining the resin’s stiffness, stress to breakage, and mechanical properties while improving durability. Mechanical tests such as tensile and impact strength were discovered using the conventional ASTM test plan. Best‐practice designs which maximize constituent interactions are thus attainable, and the research findings serve as the basis for discovering this balance, thereby broadening the spectrum of microbiologically polymer nanocomposites. The cracked surfaces of the nanomaterials, and the amount of dispersion of an ATH filler, were examined using a scanning electron microscope.

Эволюция мотивов народного искусства в отечественном печатном текстиле 40–60-х гг. XX в.

The paper deals with design features of drawings using motifs of folk art at domestic enterprises producing printed textiles. Domestic textiles of the post-war years may be roughly divided into three periods. The patterns of the first post-war years and the beginning of the 1950s keep a stylistic unity with the pre-war period. Most of the drawings associated from our perspective with the image of the 60s were created in a rather short period of 1956–1965 and expressed themselves in bright rich ornaments. In the last four years, there has been a gradual evolution of textile patterns towards the organic plastics of Art Nouveau and “refinement” of forms, which create uniform filling of the fabric`s plane. The restoration of the textile industry began even before the end of the war. Since 1944, the unaffected enterprises resumed producing printed textiles for the population. In the first post-war years, drawings with the use of folk motifs most often represented an imitation of embroidery and weaving. The end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 1960s came to be a time of radical changes in a social and political life of the USSR. The artistic design of textiles comes under the influence of ideas of “international style”, the experimental search for unofficial art of the time, and international contacts. The motifs of folk art receive a figurative and emotional interpretation.

Implementation of reengineering technology to ensure the predefined geometric accuracy of a light aircraft keel

The subject of this research is the technology of reengineering and control of parts of aircraft objects (AOs) and technological equipment for their manufacture. The predefined accuracy of the keel of a light aircraft and molding surfaces of technological equipment for its manufacture has been ensured by using reengineering technology and CAD systems. A portrait of the actual physically existing keel of a light aircraft was built in the *.stl file format using the software Artec Studio (USA). The control and comparison of the geometry of the shapes of the analytical standard with the actual physically existing keel of a light aircraft based on its portrait have been implemented. The methods used are the analysis and synthesis of the experimental geometry of shapes, the method of expert evaluations. The following results were obtained: based on the analysis and synthesis, the presence of significant errors in the accuracy of the manufacture of the keel for a light aircraft in the range from −5.26 mm to +5.39 mm was detected. It has been shown that the key factor is the keel's relative plane indicator, which is outside the tolerance margin and is 85 %. It was decided to fabricate new technological equipment from another material – organic plastics. Control of the technological equipment made from organic plastics for the keel of a light aircraft showed that the shape-forming surfaces of the equipment have appropriate shapes and sizes corresponding to the existing analytical standard and are devoid of inaccuracies that occurred in the previous version. The range of keel margins that was made using the new technological equipment from organic plastics is from –0.51 mm to +0.34 mm while the relative plane of the keel outside the tolerance margin does not exceed 15 %. The study results showed the adequacy of the decisions taken, ensuring the predefined accuracy for the keel of a light aircraft and molding surfaces of technological equipment for its manufacture.

Use of Static Method to remove Heavy Metal of the Contaminated Water, using Porous Geopolymer and Magnetically Loaded

Due to several catastrophic fires in France involving flammable organic plastics, Davidovits began his search for new materials resistant to heat, developing an alkaline activated silico-aluminous material, which was called a geopolymer. The polymeric Si-O-Al network gives the geopolymer ion exchange property, allowing the immobilization of heavy and radioactive metals within the material matrix. Due to the geopolymer's characteristic of immobilizing heavy metals in its matrix, this project aims to evaluate the geopolymer's ability to absorb heavy metals in contaminated water. For this, samples of porous geopolymers with magnetic charges in concentrations of 1, 2 and 3% were produced. And, subsequently, toxic metal solutions were made, such as Chromium, Cadmium and Lead at a concentration of 3ppm, then the sorption was carried out using the static method, where 0.5 g of the gepopolymer was dispersed in 25 ml of contaminated water and left stirring for 5 minutes, with the aid of a mechanical stirrer, and left to rest for 24 hours for the geopolymer to settle and the supernatant to be collected (this procedure was performed for geopolymers with and without magnetic charges). Afterwards, the treated water was analyzed by t he atomic absorption technique, in order to investigate the geopolymer's sorption capacity. All tests were performed in triplicate and the mean, standard deviation and 95% confidence limit were evaluated to determine the reliability of the results.

A Review on Olefin Metathesis Reactions as a Green Method for the Synthesis of Organic Compounds

Olefin metathesis is a metal-mediated C-C bond exchange by which the two fragments within the olefin precursor are redistributed as a result of breaking the double bond to obtain a new product. Currently, most of the synthetic organic compounds, polymers, drugs, plastics, and other synthetic materials are synthesized via the application of olefin metathesis reactions. In this review, different types of olefin metathesis reactions with their plausible mechanisms and their application in synthetic organic chemistry have been discussed.

Fetal exposure to environmental chemicals; insights from placental perfusion studies

IntroductionThe burden of environmental chemicals in the human population is ubiquitous and especially problematic in pregnancy due to potential exposure of the vulnerable fetus. According to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis, the fetal period is highly sensitive to exposure to environmental factors that will determine the development of diseases later in life. A range of environmental chemicals has been studied in the ex vivo placental perfusion model, which is a human model using the intact placenta directly after birth to study the placental transfer and metabolism of selected compounds. MethodsHere, we reviewed the existing knowledge on human placental perfusion of environmental chemicals in order to identify potential correlations between placental transfer and properties of chemicals and areas of future research needs. ResultsWe found 32 studies of the following groups of environmental chemicals: pesticides, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), plastics and byproducts, phyto/myco-estrogens and fungal toxins, byproducts from heating/curing food, combustion in traffic and industry, and metals. The studies showed highly distinct transfer rates from very fast transport to the fetal side to negligible transfer. DiscussionIn general, a low molecular weight favors placental translocation, but placental translocation is dependent on other physicochemical properties of the substances, claiming the need for more standardized studies and proper quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis. Overall, we recommend using placental perfusion studies in the risk assessment of environmental toxicants, to determine the transfer, metabolism and toxic effects of this diverse class of substances, on the human term placenta.

From Parkesine to Celluloid: The Birth of Organic Plastics

AbstractThe birth of modern organic plastics can be traced back to the mid‐1800s with various semi‐synthetic plastics derived from cellulose nitrate. Examples of such materials include Parkesine introduced by Alexander Parkes in 1860 and celluloid introduced by John Wesley Hyatt in 1870. The history and development of these early materials is presented, while also attempting to clarify the differences between the related materials collodion, Parkesine, and celluloid.

From Parkesine to Celluloid: The Birth of Organic Plastics.

The birth of modern organic plastics can be traced back to the mid-1800s with various semi-synthetic plastics derived from cellulose nitrate. Examples of such materials include Parkesine introduced by Alexander Parkes in 1860 and celluloid introduced by John Wesley Hyatt in 1870. The history and development of these early materials is presented, while also attempting to clarify the differences between the related materials collodion, Parkesine, and celluloid.

Municipal Solid Waste Characterization and Landfill Gas Generation in Kakia Landfill, Makkah

In many countries, open dumping is considered the simplest, cheapest, and most cost-effective way of managing solid wastes. Thus, in underdeveloped economies, Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) are openly dumped. Improper waste disposal causes air, water, and soil pollution, impairing soil permeability and blockage of the drainage system. Solid Waste Management (SWM) can be enhanced by operating a well-engineered site with the capacity to reduce, reuse, and recover MSW. Makkah city is one of the holiest cities in the world. It harbors a dozen of holy places. Millions of people across the globe visit the place every year to perform Hajj, Umrah, and tourism. In the present study, MSW characterization and energy recovery from MSW of Makkah was determined. The average composition of solid waste in Makkah city is organic matter (48%), plastics (25%), paper and cardboard (20%), metals (4%), glass (2%), textiles (1%), and wood (1%). In order to evaluate energy recovery potential from solid waste in Kakia open dumpsite landfill, the Gas Generation Model (LandGEM) was used. According to LandGEM results, landfill gas (methane and carbon dioxide) generation potential and capacity were determined. Kakia open dump has a methane potential of 83.52 m3 per ton of waste.