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Gonçalves LFFF, Reis RL, Fernandes EM. Forefront Research of Foaming Strategies on Biodegradable Polymers and Their Composites by Thermal or Melt-Based Processing Technologies: Advances and Perspectives. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1286. [PMID: 38732755 PMCID: PMC11085284 DOI: 10.3390/polym16091286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The last few decades have witnessed significant advances in the development of polymeric-based foam materials. These materials find several practical applications in our daily lives due to their characteristic properties such as low density, thermal insulation, and porosity, which are important in packaging, in building construction, and in biomedical applications, respectively. The first foams with practical applications used polymeric materials of petrochemical origin. However, due to growing environmental concerns, considerable efforts have been made to replace some of these materials with biodegradable polymers. Foam processing has evolved greatly in recent years due to improvements in existing techniques, such as the use of supercritical fluids in extrusion foaming and foam injection moulding, as well as the advent or adaptation of existing techniques to produce foams, as in the case of the combination between additive manufacturing and foam technology. The use of supercritical CO2 is especially advantageous in the production of porous structures for biomedical applications, as CO2 is chemically inert and non-toxic; in addition, it allows for an easy tailoring of the pore structure through processing conditions. Biodegradable polymeric materials, despite their enormous advantages over petroleum-based materials, present some difficulties regarding their potential use in foaming, such as poor melt strength, slow crystallization rate, poor processability, low service temperature, low toughness, and high brittleness, which limits their field of application. Several strategies were developed to improve the melt strength, including the change in monomer composition and the use of chemical modifiers and chain extenders to extend the chain length or create a branched molecular structure, to increase the molecular weight and the viscosity of the polymer. The use of additives or fillers is also commonly used, as fillers can improve crystallization kinetics by acting as crystal-nucleating agents. Alternatively, biodegradable polymers can be blended with other biodegradable polymers to combine certain properties and to counteract certain limitations. This work therefore aims to provide the latest advances regarding the foaming of biodegradable polymers. It covers the main foaming techniques and their advances and reviews the uses of biodegradable polymers in foaming, focusing on the chemical changes of polymers that improve their foaming ability. Finally, the challenges as well as the main opportunities presented reinforce the market potential of the biodegradable polymer foam materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F. F. F. Gonçalves
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs–Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs–Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Emanuel M. Fernandes
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs–Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
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Haurat M, Sauceau M, Baillon F, Barbenchon LL, Pedros M, Dumon M. Supercritical
CO
2
‐assisted extrusion foaming: A suitable process to produce very lightweight acrylic polymer micro foams. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.53277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Haurat
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP/ENSCBP, UMR 5629 PessacCedex France
| | - Martial Sauceau
- Centre RAPSODEE UMR CNRS 5302, IMT Mines Albi, Université de Toulouse Toulouse France
| | - Fabien Baillon
- Centre RAPSODEE UMR CNRS 5302, IMT Mines Albi, Université de Toulouse Toulouse France
| | - Louise Le Barbenchon
- I2M Institut de Mécanique et Ingénierie ‐ UMR CNRS 5295 Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | - Matthieu Pedros
- Département Science et Génie Matériaux ‐ SGM IUT Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
| | - Michel Dumon
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP/ENSCBP, UMR 5629 PessacCedex France
- Département Science et Génie Matériaux ‐ SGM IUT Université de Bordeaux Bordeaux France
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Peng K, Mubarak S, Diao X, Cai Z, Zhang C, Wang J, Wu L. Progress in the Preparation, Properties, and Applications of PLA and Its Composite Microporous Materials by Supercritical CO 2: A Review from 2020 to 2022. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14204320. [PMID: 36297898 PMCID: PMC9611929 DOI: 10.3390/polym14204320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of degradable plastic foams is in line with the current development concept of being pollution free and sustainable. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microporous foam with biodegradability, good heat resistance, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties can be successfully applied in cushioning packaging, heat insulation, noise reduction, filtration and adsorption, tissue engineering, and other fields. This paper summarizes and critically evaluates the latest research on preparing PLA microporous materials by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) physical foaming since 2020. This paper first introduces the scCO2 foaming technologies for PLA and its composite foams, discusses the CO2-assisted foaming processes, and analyzes the effects of process parameters on PLA foaming. After that, the paper reviews the effects of modification methods such as chemical modification, filler filling, and mixing on the rheological and crystallization behaviors of PLA and provides an in-depth analysis of the mechanism of PLA foaming behavior to provide theoretical guidance for future research on PLA foaming. Lastly, the development and applications of PLA microporous materials based on scCO2 foaming technologies are prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangming Peng
- CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Suhail Mubarak
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Chonnam National University, Yeosu-si 59626, Jeonnam, Korea
| | - Xuefeng Diao
- Jinyoung (Xiamen) Advanced Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Xiamen 361028, China
| | - Zewei Cai
- CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- School of Materials and Chemistry Engineering, Minjiang University, Xiyuangong Road No. 200, Fuzhou 350108, China
- Industrial Design Institute, Minjiang University, Xiyuangong Road No. 200, Fuzhou 350108, China
- Correspondence: (C.Z.); (J.W.); (L.W.)
| | - Jianlei Wang
- CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Correspondence: (C.Z.); (J.W.); (L.W.)
| | - Lixin Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Key Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Correspondence: (C.Z.); (J.W.); (L.W.)
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Almutairi M, Srinivasan P, Zhang P, Austin F, Butreddy A, Alharbi M, Bandari S, Ashour EA, Repka MA. Hot-Melt Extrusion Coupled with Pressurized Carbon Dioxide for Enhanced Processability of Pharmaceutical Polymers and Drug Delivery Applications – An Integrated Review. Int J Pharm 2022; 629:122291. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Tang W, Liao X, Shi S, Wang B, Lv C, Zou F, Li G. Significantly Enhanced Porosity of Silicone Rubber Nanocomposite Foams via Cross-Linking Structure Regulation and Heterogeneous Nucleation by CNTs for Promising Ultralow- k Dielectrics. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c01865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wanyu Tang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Xia Liao
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Shaozhe Shi
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Bo Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Cuifang Lv
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Fangfang Zou
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Guangxian Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
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Supercritical Foaming and Impregnation of Polycaprolactone and Polycaprolactone-Hydroxyapatite Composites with Carvacrol. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10030482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycaprolactone (PCL) and polycaprolactone-hydroxyapatite (PCL-HA) scaffolds were produced by foaming in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) at 20 MPa, as well as in one-step foaming and impregnation process using carvacrol as an antibacterial agent with proven activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The experimental design was developed to study the influence of temperature (40 °C and 50 °C), HA content (10 and 20 wt.%), and depressurization rate (one and two-step decompression) on the foams’ morphology, porosity, pore size distribution, and carvacrol impregnation yield. The characterization of the foams was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM, SEM-FIB), Gay-Lussac density bottle measurements, and Fourier–transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. The obtained results demonstrate that processing PCL and PCL-HA scaffolds by means of scCO2 foaming enables preparing foams with porosity in the range of 65.55–74.39% and 61.98–67.13%, at 40 °C and 50 °C, respectively. The presence of carvacrol led to a lower porosity. At 40 °C and one-step decompression at a slow rate, the porosity of impregnated scaffolds was higher than at 50 °C and two- step fast decompression. However, a narrower pore size distribution was obtained at the last processing conditions. PCL scaffolds with HA resulted in higher carvacrol impregnation yields than neat PCL foams. The highest carvacrol loading (10.57%) was observed in the scaffold with 10 wt.% HA obtained at 50 °C.
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Sadeghi B, Sadeghi P, Marfavi Y, Kowsari E, Zareiyazd AA, Ramakrishna S. Impacts of cellulose nanofibers on the morphological behavior and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of extruded polylactic acid/cellulose nanofibril nanocomposite foam. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.51673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Peyman Sadeghi
- Faculty of Polymer and Chemical Engineering University of Tehran Tehran Iran
| | - Yousef Marfavi
- Department of Chemistry Amirkabir University of Technology Tehran Iran
| | - Elaheh Kowsari
- Department of Chemistry Amirkabir University of Technology Tehran Iran
| | | | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology National University of Singapore Singapore Singapore
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Abstract
The food packaging sector generates large volumes of plastic waste due to the high demand for packaged products with a short shelf-life. Biopolymers such as starch-based materials are a promising alternative to non-renewable resins, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly food packaging alternative for single-use products. This article provides a chronology of the development of starch-based materials for food packaging. Particular emphasis is placed on the challenges faced in processing these materials using conventional processing techniques for thermoplastics and other emerging techniques such as electrospinning and 3D printing. The improvement of the performance of starch-based materials by blending with other biopolymers, use of micro- and nano-sized reinforcements, and chemical modification of starch is discussed. Finally, an overview of recent developments of these materials in smart food packaging is given.
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