Polymer Degradation Research Articles

Comparative study of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and cyclic ketene acetal copolymer degradation under alkaline, enzymatic, or wastewater conditions

The (bio)degradability of cyclic ketene acetal (CKA)-containing polymers is dependent on the polymer structure and degradation conditions. Copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP), with different CKA comonomers and architectures, were subjected to (bio)degradation under alkaline, enzymatic and wastewater conditions. Grafting CKA-co-NVP moieties onto a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) backbone promoted the enzymatic hydrolysis of CKA esters and improved the overall polymer biodegradability. Limited biodegradation was observed for poly(CKA-co-NVP) in the presence of wastewater sludge during an industrial biodegradability test under OECD 301F guidelines. Under less stringent test conditions poly(CKA-co-NVP) achieves small, yet non-negligible biodegradation. Structural analysis of the degradation products shed light into the degradation mechanisms, revealing CKA ester hydrolysis in all cases, while in presence of wastewater sludge, additional CKA end-group oxidation was clearly observed. However, effective amide hydrolysis or pyrrolidone unit biodegradation was not detected, with pyrrolidone-containing segments persisting through the biodegradation test.

Fast and Selective Main-Chain Scission of Vinyl Polymers Using the Domino Reaction in the Alternating Sequence for Transesterification.

This communication reports on vinyl polymers capable of selective and fast main-chain scission (MCS). The trick is the domino reaction in an alternating sequence of methyl 2-(trimethylsiloxymethyl)acrylate and 5,6-benzo-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane, a cyclic ketene acetal for radical ring-opening polymerization. Removal of the trimethylsilyl group using Bu4N+·F- readily led to MCS via irreversible transesterification of the ester backbone, affording a five-membered lactone fragment. The molar mass decreased drastically within 5 min, and no side reactions were observed. Control experiments suggest that the formation of a five-membered ring via a domino reaction is critical for fast and selective MCS. The terpolymers with methyl methacrylate and styrene also exhibited a large decrease in molar mass within 5 min. In addition, MCS was also observed for the heterogeneous reaction system in acidic aqueous media; treatment of the binary copolymer in a 50 wt % acetic acid solution resulted in a significant decrease in molar mass after 30 min. These results suggest efficient construction of degradable sites using a binary monomer system corresponding to the pendant trigger and ester backbone. Because this molecular design using a binary monomer system provides selective and fast MCS for terpolymers containing other vinyl monomers, it can provide various degradable vinyl polymers.

Microbial Allies in Plastic Degradation: Specific bacterial genera as universal plastic-degraders in various environments

Microbiological degradation of polymers offers a promising approach for mitigating environmental plastic pollution. This study (i) elucidated the diversity and structure of bacterial microbiomes from distinct environments (landfill soil, sewage sludge, and river water) characterized by specific physicochemical parameters, and (ii) utilized environment-derived microbial cultures enriched with microplastics (MPs) to investigate the degradation of polymers and identify culturable bacterial strains contributing to the plastisphere. We found that alpha diversity was notably higher in river water (∼20%) compared to landfill soil and sewage sludge. Dominant phyla included Pseudomonadota in sewage sludge (39.1%) and water (23.7%), while Actinomycetota prevailed in soil (38.5%). A multistage experiment, involving successive subcultures of environmental microbiomes exposed to polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), and polylactic acid (PLA), facilitated the assessment of MPs degradation processes. Analysis of carbonyl indices CIs and FTIR spectra revealed substantial structural changes in the treatment PVC-landfill soil, as well as in PLA- and PC-sludge enriched cultures. Further, using enriched cultures as a source of microorganisms, the study obtained 17 strains of plastic degraders from landfill soil, 14 from sewage sludge, and 6 from river water. Remarkably, similar bacterial genera were isolated across environmental microbiomes regardless of the MPs substrate used in enriched cultures. Among the 37 identified strains, Pseudomonadota predominated (64.86%) and were accompanied by Bacteroidota (16.22%), Actinomycetota (13.51%), and Bacillota (5.41%). This study highlights the complex relationship between microbiome diversity and the biodegradation efficiency of plastics, showing the potential for using microbial communities in the plastic pollution management.

Plastic-degrading microbial communities reveal novel microorganisms, pathways, and biocatalysts for polymer degradation and bioplastic production

Plastics derived from fossil fuels are used ubiquitously owing to their exceptional physicochemical characteristics. However, the extensive and short-term use of plastics has caused environmental challenges. The biotechnological plastic conversion can help address the challenges related to plastic pollution, offering sustainable alternatives that can operate using bioeconomic concepts and promote socioeconomic benefits. In this context, using soil from a plastic-contaminated landfill, two consortia were established (ConsPlastic-A and -B) displaying versatility in developing and consuming polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate as the carbon source of nutrition. The ConsPlastic-A and -B metagenomic sequencing, taxonomic profiling, and the reconstruction of 79 draft bacterial genomes significantly expanded the knowledge of plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes, disclosing novel taxonomic groups associated with polymer degradation. The microbial consortium was utilized to obtain a novel Pseudomonas putida strain (BR4), presenting a striking metabolic arsenal for aromatic compound degradation and assimilation, confirmed by genomic analyses. The BR4 displays the inherent capacity to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) containing hydroxyvalerate (HV) units that contribute to enhanced copolymer properties, such as increased flexibility and resistance to breakage, compared with pure PHB. Therefore, BR4 is a promising strain for developing a bioconsolidated plastic depolymerization and upcycling process. Collectively, our study provides insights that may extend beyond the artificial ecosystems established during our experiments and supports future strategies for effectively decomposing and valorizing plastic waste. Furthermore, the functional genomic analysis described herein serves as a valuable guide for elucidating the genetic potential of microbial communities and microorganisms in plastic deconstruction and upcycling.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of polylactide (PLA) through TiO2-based up-conversion nanoparticles

As a degradable polymer material, the regulation of the degradation rate of polylactide (PLA) under an actual light exposure environment is of significant importance for realizing its multifaceted applications. This study aims to enhance the photodegradation of PLA under irradiation with lower-energy wavelengths by using TiO2-based up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Two modification methods were employed: doping TiO2 with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ ions integrated within the TiO2 lattice, and creating a composite photocatalyst by adhering Y2O3: Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ to the exterior of TiO2 grains. The study investigated the impact of these two different TiO2-based UCNPs on the photocatalytic degradation rate and mechanism of PLA under simulated sunlight irradiation. Research has found that the doped TiO2, due to its narrower bandgap and higher photon utilization efficiency during the up-conversion process, exhibited superior catalytic efficiency in catalyzing the photodegradation reactions of PLA compared to unmodified TiO2 and composite TiO2. This work proposes a novel strategy for preparing PLA composites with enhanced photodegradation speed provided by modified TiO2, efficient light energy utilization offered by the up-conversion process, and potential applications in more advanced packaging and agricultural fields.

Comparative genomics of the carmine cochineal symbiont Candidatus Dactylopiibacterium carminicum reveals possible protection to the host against viruses via CRISPR/Cas

We present new genomes from the bacterial symbiont Candidatus Dactylopiibacterium carminicum obtained from non-domesticated carmine cochineals belonging to the scale insect Dactylopius (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae). As Dactylopiibacterium has not yet been cultured in the laboratory, metagenomes and metatranscriptomics have been key in revealing putative symbiont functions. Dactylopiibacterium is a nitrogen-fixing beta-proteobacterium that may be vertically transmitted and shows differential gene expression inside the cochineal depending on the tissue colonized. Here we found that all cochineal species tested had Dactylopiibacterium carminicum which has a highly conserved genome. All Dactylopiibacterium genomes analyzed had genes involved in nitrogen fixation and plant polymer degradation. Dactylopiibacterium genomes resemble those from free-living plant bacteria, some found as endophytes. Notably, we found here a new putative novel function where the bacteria may protect the insect from viruses, since all Dactylopiibacterium genomes contain CRISPRs with a spacer matching nucleopolyhedrovirus that affects insects.

Multifunctional daytime radiative cooler resistant to UV aging

Passive radiative cooling presents a promising approach to mitigate global warming and reduce energy consumption. Existing coolers, however, face challenges in practical prolonged adoption due to their unappealing design, susceptibility to environmental pollutants, as well as degradation of polymers by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation from sunlight. This study introduces a multifunctional daytime radiative cooler (MDRC) with a dual-layered structure, combining practical functionality with aesthetic value. Its base layer consists of an Ag–TiO2–Ag thin film stack, imparting vibrant cyan, magenta, and yellow colors, even maintaining visually appealing from various incident angles, up to 75°, to ensure consistent color display. The top layer, comprising S–SiO2 nanospheres with UV resistance rather than polymers, not only forms a superhydrophobic surface with a contact angle of 155.502°, enhancing the self-cleaning capability of the MDRC against contamination and dust, but also renders the MDRC with extraordinary anti-aging capacity. Outdoor experiments has shown that the MDRC maintains operation at temperatures above ambient under direct solar irradiation, achieving a substantial temperature reduction of 6.82 °C compared to the same colored commercial coating. After three months of outdoor exposure, the MDRC demonstrated minimal degradation in performance, with decreases of only 0.29 °C during the day and 0.12 °C at night, underscoring its superior UV-resistant aging properties. This MDRC represents a robust solution for diverse durable outdoor raidative cooling applications, advancing toward real-world utilization.

Plenty of Space in the Backbone: Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization.

Radical polymerization is the most widely applied technique in both industry and fundamental science. However, its major drawback is that it typically yields polymers with non-functional, non-degradable all-carbon backbones-a limitation that radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP) allows to overcome. The last decade has seen a surge in rROP, primarily focused on creating degradable polymers. This pursuit has resulted in the creation of the first readily degradable materials through radical polymerization. Recent years have witnessed innovations in new monomers that address previous design limitations, such as ring strain and reactivity ratios. Furthermore, advances in integrating rROP with reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) have facilitated the incorporation of complex, customizable chemical payloads into the main polymer chain. This short review discusses the latest developments in monomer design with a focused analysis of their limitations in a broader historical context. Recently evolving strategies for compatibility of rROP monomers with RDRP are discussed, which are key to precision polymer synthesis. The latest chemistry surveyed expands the horizon beyond mere hydrolytic degradation. Now is the time to explore the chemical potential residing in the previously inaccessible polymer backbone.

Moderate-temperature curing of epoxidized soybean oil for highly efficient coated fertilizer

The use of bio-oil-based polymers in fertilizer coatings has drawn significant academic interest. However, the challenge remains to eliminate toxic chemicals while enhancing comprehensive properties. This study focused on synthesizing a degradable polymer from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) without organic solvent at low temperature (120°C), accomplished through a modified curing agent (MCA). This MCA was made of an acidic eutectic mixture of phthalic anhydride (PA) and its glycerides, produced from inexpensive, low-toxic phthalic anhydride and glycerol. The process utilized a small quantity of zinc acetate (0.5 wt%) to facilitate the formation of phthalic triglyceride in the MCA and mitigate PA sublimation, resulting in the enhanced cross-link degree, superior mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of the ESO-based resin (ESOR). Under optimal preparation conditions, the solvent-free ESOR-coated fertilizer exhibited an extended longevity of 53 days, with an 80 % phosphorus release. This coating material can undergo hydrolytic degradation in soil and in-situ conversion into carboxylates. These findings hold significant potential for advancing the applications of ESOR in green and sustainable agriculture.

Conductive/Insulating Bioinks with Multitechnology Compatibility and Adjustable Performance.

Conducting/insulating inks have received significant attention for the fabrication of a wide range of additive manufacturing technology. However, current inks often demonstrate poor biocompatibility and face trade-offs between conductivity and mechanical stiffness under physiological conditions. Here, conductive/insulating bioinks based on two-dimensional materials are proposed. The conductive bioink, graphene (GR)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), is prepared by introducing conductive GR into a degradable polymer matrix, PLGA, while the insulating bioink, boron nitride (BN)-PLGA, is synthesized by adding insulating BN. By optimizing the material ratios, this work achieves precise control of the electromechanical properties of the bioinks, thereby enabling the flexible construction of conductive networks according to specific requirements. Furthermore, these bioinks are compatible with a variety of manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, electrospinning, spin coating, and injection molding, expanding their application range in the biomedical field. Overall, the results suggest that these conducting/insulating bioinks offer improved mechanical, electronic, and biological properties for various emerging biomedical applications.

A General Approach for Photo-Oxidative Degradation of Various Polymers.

The escalating demand for plastics has resulted in a surge of plastic waste worldwide, posing a monumental environmental challenge. To address this issue, a versatile photo-oxidative degradation method applicable to seven distinct polymer families is proposed, comprising poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) (PIBVE), poly(2,3-dihydrofuran) (PDHF), poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA), poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMA), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate) (PEGMEA), and even poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). This method employs photo-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) followed by oxidation to promote polymer degradation. This reaction is carried out under aerobic condition in the presence of iron trichloride (FeCl3) as a photocatalyst in combination with low-intensity purple light irradiation. The process can degrade up to 97% of the polymer in less than 3 h. This degradation process can be easily controlled by switching the light off, which allows for precise modulation of the degradation rate, enhancing the effectiveness of the method. Overall, this method provides a sustainable method for degrading various polymer types with low energy input.

Propionate production by Bacteroidia gut bacteria and its dependence on substrate concentrations differs among species

BackgroundPropionate is a food preservative and platform chemical, but no biological process competes with current petrochemical production routes yet. Although propionate production has been described for gut bacteria of the class Bacteroidia, which also carry great capacity for the degradation of plant polymers, knowledge on propionate yields and productivities across species is scarce. This study aims to compare propionate production from glucose within Bacteroidia and characterize good propionate producers among this group.ResultsWe collected published information on propionate producing Bacteroidia, and selected ten species to be further examined. These species were grown under defined conditions to compare their product formation. While propionate, acetate, succinate, lactate and formate were produced, the product ratios varied greatly among the species. The two species with highest propionate yield, B. propionicifaciens (0.39 gpro/ggluc) and B. graminisolvens (0.25 gpro/ggluc), were further examined. Product formation and growth behavior differed significantly during CO2-limited growth and in resting cells experiments, as only B. graminisolvens depended on external-added NaHCO3, while their genome sequences only revealed few differences in the major catabolic pathways. Carbon mass and electron balances in experiments with resting cells were closed under the assumption that the oxidative pentose pathway was utilized for glucose oxidation next to glycolysis in B. graminisolvens. Finally, during pH-controlled fed-batch cultivation B. propionicifaciens and B. graminisolvens grew up to cell densities (OD600) of 8.1 and 9.8, and produced 119 mM and 33 mM of propionate from 130 and 105 mM glucose, respectively. A significant production of other acids, particularly lactate (25 mM), was observed in B. graminisolvens only.ConclusionsWe obtained the first broad overview and comparison of propionate production in Bacteroidia strains. A closer look at two species with comparably high propionate yields, showed significant differences in their physiology. Further studies may reveal the molecular basis for high propionate yields in Bacteroidia, paving the road towards their biotechnological application for conversion of biomass-derived sugars to propionate.

Synthesis of a new Schiff base acceptor–donor molecule as a UV stabilizer for enhanced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) photoprotection

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable aliphatic polyester of significant interest. Owing to its traits, PLA stands out as one of the most widely used polymers in various fields. Nevertheless, environmental conditions, such as heat, UV light, and humidity have negative impacts on the polymer's performance as a result of the accelerating aging process. In this study, we present a novel acceptor–donor (AD) Schiff base molecule that demonstrates significant UV stabilization when incorporated into the polymer's matrix. The stabilization effect of the AD molecule was studied by using the weight loss method and tracking the functional group indices of CO (ICO) and OH (IOH) that emerge because of polymer degradation after irradiation with UV light for 300 h. The films' structures were studied by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) to evaluate the stabilization enhancement of AD moiety. The results exhibit a significant decrease in weight loss for blended PLA, in contrast to blank PLA. The weight loss percentage reduced from 2.5 for blank PLA to less than 0.7 for blended PLA. Furthermore, ICO and IOH indices witness a remarkable reduction which verifies the improved photodegradation resulting from AD moiety. The suggested method involves the efficient absorption of UV radiation produced during photo‐degradation by the AD molecule, which then emits this light as visible blue light without causing any damage to PLA film's chemical structure. Our results demonstrate the adaptability of AD molecules as PLA photo‐stabilizers and point to their wider significance for sustainable material applications. This work advances the stability of PLA films and provides opportunities for the creation of novel stabilization techniques based on organic electrical principles. Future studies may examine the multipurpose uses of the AD molecule in sensor materials and other contexts.Highlights Presenting a novel acceptor–donor Schiff base as a phot stabilizer of PLA. Using the weight loss method and tracking the functional group indices to test the degradation. A significant decrease in weight loss for blended PLA, in contrast to blank PLA. The Schiff base absorbing UV light, excited electrons from ground state to excited state. They return to the ground state and produce bright blue light. These movement of electrons cause no damage to the PLA polymer chains.

Mechanochemical Backbone Editing for Controlled Degradation of Vinyl Polymers.

The chemically inert nature of fully saturated hydrocarbon backbones endows vinyl polymers with desirable durability, but it also leads to their significant environmental persistence. Enhancing the sustainability of these materials requires a pivotal yet challenging shift: transforming the inert backbone into one that is degradable. Here, we present a versatile platform for mechanochemically editing the fully saturated backbone of vinyl polymers towards degradable polymer chains by integrating cyclobutene-fused succinimide (CBS) units along backbone through photo-iniferter reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) copolymerization. Significantly, the evenly insertion of CBS units does not compromise thermal or chemical stability but rather offers a means to adjust the properties of polymethylacrylate (PMA). Meanwhile, reactive acyclic imide units can be selectively introduced to the backbone through mechanochemical activation (pulse ultrasonication or ball-milling grinding) when required. Subsequent hydrolysis of the acyclic imide groups enables efficient degradation, yielding telechelic oligomers. This approach holds promise for inspiring the design and modification of more environmentally friendly vinyl polymers through backbone editing.

Mechanochemical Backbone Editing for Controlled Degradation of Vinyl Polymers

AbstractThe chemically inert nature of fully saturated hydrocarbon backbones endows vinyl polymers with desirable durability, but it also leads to their significant environmental persistence. Enhancing the sustainability of these materials requires a pivotal yet challenging shift: transforming the inert backbone into one that is degradable. Here, we present a versatile platform for mechanochemically editing the fully saturated backbone of vinyl polymers towards degradable polymer chains by integrating cyclobutene‐fused succinimide (CBS) units along backbone through photo‐iniferter reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) copolymerization. Significantly, the evenly insertion of CBS units does not compromise thermal or chemical stability but rather offers a means to adjust the properties of polymethylacrylate (PMA). Meanwhile, reactive acyclic imide units can be selectively introduced to the backbone through mechanochemical activation (pulse ultrasonication or ball‐milling grinding) when required. Subsequent hydrolysis of the acyclic imide groups enables efficient degradation, yielding telechelic oligomers. This approach holds promise for inspiring the design and modification of more environmentally friendly vinyl polymers through backbone editing.

Simple Genomic Traits Predict Rates of Polysaccharide Biodegradation.

Natural and chemically modified polysaccharides are extensively employed across a wide array of industries, leading to their prevalence in the waste streams of industrialized societies. With projected increasing demand, a pressing challenge is to swiftly assess and predict their biodegradability to inform the development of new sustainable materials. In this study, we developed a scalable method to evaluate polysaccharide breakdown by measuring microbial growth and analyzing microbial genomes. Our approach, applied to polysaccharides with various structures, correlates strongly with well-established regulatory methods based on oxygen demand. We show that modifications to the polysaccharide structure decreased degradability and favored the growth of microbes adapted to break down chemically modified sugars. More broadly, we discovered two main types of microbial communities associated with different polysaccharide structures─one dominated by fast-growing microbes and another by specialized degraders. Surprisingly, we were able to predict biodegradation rates based only on two genomic features that define these communities: the abundance of genes related to rRNA (indicating fast growth) and the abundance of glycoside hydrolases (enzymes that break down polysaccharides), which together predict nearly 70% of the variation in polysaccharide breakdown. This suggests a trade-off, whereby microbes are either adapted for fast growth or for degrading complex polysaccharide chains, but not both. Finally, we observe that viral elements (prophages) encoded in the genomes of degrading microbes are induced in easily degradable polysaccharides, leading to complex dynamics in biomass accumulation during degradation. In summary, our work provides a practical approach for efficiently assessing polymer degradability and offers genomic insights into how microbes break down polysaccharides.

The Recyclability of Fire-Retarded Biobased Polyamide 11 (PA11) Composites Reinforced with Basalt Fibers (BFs): The Influence of Reprocessing on Structure, Properties, and Fire Behavior.

The growing requirements regarding the safety of using polymers and their composites are related to the emergence of more effective, sustainable, and hazardous-limited fire retardants (FRs). Significant amounts of FRs are usually required to effectively affect a polymer's burning behavior, while the knowledge of their recycling potential is still insufficient. At the same time, concerns are related not only to the reduced effectiveness of flame retardancy but also, above all, to the potential deterioration of mechanical properties caused by the degradation of temperature-affected additives under processing conditions. This study describes the impact of the four-time reprocessing of bio-based polyamide 11 (PA11) modified with an intumescent flame-retardant (IFR) system composed of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), melamine cyanurate (MC), and pentaerythritol (PER) and its composites containing additional short basalt fibers (BFs). Composites manufactured via twin-screw extrusion were subjected to four reprocessing cycles using injection molding. A comprehensive analysis of their structural, mechanical, and fire behavior changes in each cycle was conducted. The obtained results confirmed the safety of using the proposed fire-retarded polyamide and its composites while reprocessing under the recommended process parameters without the risk of significant changes in the structure. The partial increase in flammability of reprocessed PA-based materials caused mainly by polymer degradation has been described.

Application Analysis of Biodegradable Polymer Materials in Food Packaging

With the rapid development of biotechnology, the society pays more attention than in the past to the production and development of environmental protection. Choosing materials has always been a more important part of environmental protection work, among them, the degradable polymer materials are also professional research topics, it can be self-degradation under certain conditions, with far-reaching environmental protection value and social significance. Food packaging is a kind of carrier that plays a protective role in packaging, preservation and sales of food, the application of degradable polymer materials in food packaging can play a positive role in environmental protection, reducing environmental pollution and building an ecological society. In this paper, the active application of biodegradable polymer materials for food packaging is elaborated, hoping to provide theoretical reference.

An in-depth study of the oxidative liquefaction process for polymeric waste reduction and chemical production from wind turbine blades and personal protective equipment used in the medical field

An in-depth study of the oxidative liquefaction process has been provided to degrade the polymeric waste from personal protective equipment (PPEs) and wind turbine blades (WTBs). Thermogravimetric investigations demonstrate that WTBs have three prominent peaks throughout the degradation, whereas PPEs display solitary peak features. Experiments are carried out employing specific experimental design approaches, namely the Central Composite Face-Centered Plan (CCF) for WTBs and the Central Composition Design with Fractional Factorial Design for PPEs in a batch-type reactor at temperature ranges of 250–350 °C, pressures of 20–40 bar, residence times of 30–90 min, H2O2 concentrations of 15–45 %, and waste/liquid ratios of 5–25 % for WTBs. These values were 200–300 °C, 30 bar, 45 min, 30–60 % and 5–7 % for PPE. A detailed comparison has been provided in the context of total polymer degradation (TPD) for PPE and WTBs. Liquid products from both types of wastes after the oxidative liquefaction process are subjected to gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to identify the existence of oxygenated chemical compounds (OCCs). For WTBs, TPD was 20–49 % and this value was 55–96 % for PPE while the OCC yield for WTBs (36.31 g/kg - 210.59 g/kg) and PPEs (39.93 g/kg - 212.66 g/kg) was also calculated. Detailed optimization of experimental plans was carried out by performing the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and optimization goals were maximum TPD and OCCs yields against the minimum energy consumption, though a considerable amount of complex polymer waste can be reduced and high concentrations of OCC can be achieved, which could be applied for commercial and environmental benefits.

Effect of monovalent/divalent ions and SiO2-based nanocomposite dosage on thermochemical stability of HPAM polymeric solutions

This study evaluated the effect of monovalent and divalent ions and the dosage of a SiO2-based nanocomposite on the thermochemical stability of HPAM polymeric solution. Chelating Amine–Functionalized NPs (AFNPs) were used to enhance the thermochemical stability of HPAM based on capturing monovalent/divalent ions after seven days at 70°C. Different polymer solutions prepared with calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2·2H2O) at 2000 mg/L and sodium chloride (NaCl) at 10000 mg/L, and two different dosages of HPAM (1000 and 2000 mg/L) were assessed in the presence and absence of AFNPs at dosages of 200, 500 and 1000 mg/L. The nanocomposite was characterized by N2 adsorption, Fourier-transformed infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Zeta potential (ZP). Stability tests over time confirmed the positive effect of nanocomposite on increasing the thermochemical stability of polymer solutions. Results revealed that adding 0, 200, and 500 mg/L of nanocomposite to the polymeric solution at 1000 mg/L of HPAM, 10000 mg/L of NaCl, and 2000 mg/L of CaCl2·2H2O led to the viscosity reductions of 73.5%, 18%, and less than 1% after 7 days (70°C), respectively. Nanocomposite at 200 mg/L reduces the polymer degradation in the presence of the two salts evaluated separately, i.e., 20% for 10000 mg/L of NaCl and 15% for 2000 mg/L of CaCl2·2H2O. The adsorption tests on AFNPs and SiO2 NPs concluded that AFNPs had higher adsorption of cations in comparison to SiO2 NPs and that greater adsorption of cations is related to a reduction in polymer degradation.