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Zabihi O, Patrick R, Ahmadi M, Forrester M, Huxley R, Wei Y, Hadigheh SA, Naebe M. Mechanical upcycling of single-use face mask waste into high-performance composites: An ecofriendly approach with cost-benefit analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170469. [PMID: 38311090 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented demand for PPE, with single-use face masks emerging as a critical tool in containing virus transmission. However, the extensive use and improper disposal of these single-use face masks, predominantly composed of non-biodegradable plastics, has exacerbated environmental challenges. This research presents an innovative method for mechanically upcycling PPEs used in medical sectors i.e. single use face masks. The study investigates a facile approach for reclamation of infection-free and pure polypropylene (PP) plastic from discarded single use face masks (W-PP) and blends it with various vegetable oil percentages (5, 10 and 20 %), resulting in a versatile material suitable for various applications. Melt flow index, rheological behaviour, DSC and FTIR were employed to investigate the effect of vegetable oil/radical initiator through chemical grafting on W-PP properties. The results demonstrate significant enhancements in the tensile strength and modulus of W-PP when blended with vegetable oil and a radical initiator. There was a marked increase in tensile strength (33 %) and strain (55 %) compared to untreated W-PP, rendering W-PP both robust and flexible. Furthermore, we employed this upcycled W-PP in the fabrication of glass fibre-reinforced composites, resulting in notable enhancements in both tensile strength and impact resistance. The upcycled W-PP demonstrates excellent potential for various applications, such as sheet forming and 3D printing, where the non-brittleness of plastics plays a pivotal role in manufacturing high-quality products. The cost-benefit analysis of this approach underscores the potential of upcycling PPE waste as a sustainable solution to mitigate plastic pollution and conserve valuable resources. The applications of this upcycled material span a wide range of industries, including automotive composites, packaging, and 3D printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Zabihi
- Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Patrick
- School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mojtaba Ahmadi
- Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Mike Forrester
- School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Huxley
- Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yaning Wei
- School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - S Ali Hadigheh
- School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Minoo Naebe
- Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia.
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Chen Y, Wang B. Effect of Diatomite on the Thermal Degradation Behavior of Polypropylene and Formation of Graphene Products. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14183764. [PMID: 36145906 PMCID: PMC9501155 DOI: 10.3390/polym14183764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, the thermogravimetry–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–FTIR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) techniques are used to investigate the thermal degradation behavior of polypropylene (PP) with 20 wt.% diatomite (DM). The initial decomposition temperature of these blends was 17 °C lower than that of pristine PP, and more olefin degradation products were formed during the pyrolysis process under Ar atmosphere. These results could be attributed to the catalytic effects of DM on the degradation of PP and the changes of PP chain scission pathways around the particles (more β scission happened via the secondary radical transfer). These olefins could be caught by DM through the Si–O–C bond formed during the heat–treatment around 400~500 °C. The formation of the cross–linked structure could facilitate the growth of graphene during a high–temperature graphitization process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biao Wang
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-6779-2731
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Rheological Properties and Melt Spinning Application of Controlled-Rheology Polypropylenes via Pilot-Scale Reactive Extrusion. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14153226. [PMID: 35956739 PMCID: PMC9371021 DOI: 10.3390/polym14153226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on pilot-scale twin-screw reactive extrusion, the structural and rheological properties of controlled-rheology polypropylenes (CR-PPs) are investigated, where the effects of peroxide content and extrusion conditions such as screw configuration, extrusion temperature, and screw speed are prioritized. The active chain cleavage reaction by a small peroxide content of less than 600 ppm inside the extruder gradually increases the melt index and narrows the molecular weight distribution of CR-PPs, thereby affording favorable properties that are applicable to the fiber spinning process. The mechanical properties of CR-PPs are slightly degraded owing to the generation of unsaturated chain ends during the reactive extrusion, which suppresses crystal growth. Under all extrusion conditions, the chain scission and thermal degradation of polypropylene samples occur actively in the harsh twin-screw extruder compared with those in the mild twin-screw extruder. Finally, it is confirmed that CR-PPs can be suitably applied to the melt-spinning process for staple fiber production, thereby guaranteeing a more stable spinning process window against draw resonance instability.
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Roy PS, Garnier G, Allais F, Saito K. Strategic Approach Towards Plastic Waste Valorization: Challenges and Promising Chemical Upcycling Possibilities. CHEMSUSCHEM 2021; 14:4007-4027. [PMID: 34132056 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202100904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste, which is one of the major sources of pollution in the landfills and oceans, has raised global concern, primarily due to the huge production rate, high durability, and the lack of utilization of the available waste management techniques. Recycling methods are preferable to reduce the impact of plastic pollution to some extent. However, most of the recycling techniques are associated with different drawbacks, high cost and downgrading of product quality being among the notable ones. The sustainable option here is to upcycle the plastic waste to create high-value materials to compensate for the cost of production. Several upcycling techniques are constantly being investigated and explored, which is currently the only economical option to resolve the plastic waste issue. This Review provides a comprehensive insight on the promising chemical routes available for upcycling of the most widely used plastic and mixed plastic wastes. The challenges inherent to these processes, the recent advances, and the significant role of the science and research community in resolving these issues are further emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallabi Sinha Roy
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
- BioPRIA, Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Gil Garnier
- BioPRIA, Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
- URD Agro-Biotechnologies Industrielles (ABI), CEBB, AgroParisTech, 51110, Pomacle, France
| | - Florent Allais
- BioPRIA, Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
- URD Agro-Biotechnologies Industrielles (ABI), CEBB, AgroParisTech, 51110, Pomacle, France
| | - Kei Saito
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
- BioPRIA, Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Higashi-Ichijo-Kan, Yoshida-nakaadachicho 1, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8306, Japan
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Stanic S, Koch T, Schmid K, Knaus S, Archodoulaki VM. Improving Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Various Virgin and Recycled Polypropylenes by Blending with Long-Chain Branched Polypropylene. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:1137. [PMID: 33918300 PMCID: PMC8038188 DOI: 10.3390/polym13071137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Blends of two long-chain branched polypropylenes (LCB-PP) and five linear polypropylenes (L-PP) were prepared in a single screw extruder at 240 °C. The two LCB-PPs were self-created via reactive extrusion at 180 °C by using dimyristyl peroxydicarbonate (PODIC C126) and dilauroyl peroxide (LP) as peroxides. For blending two virgin and three recycled PPs like coffee caps, yoghurt cups and buckets with different melt flow rate (MFR) values were used. The influence of using blends was assessed by investigating the rheological (dynamic and extensional rheology) and mechanical properties (tensile test and impact tensile test). The dynamic rheology indicated that the molecular weight as well as the molecular weight distribution could be increased or broadened. Also the melt strength behavior could be improved by using the two peroxide modified LCB-PP blends on the basis of PODIC C126 or PEROXAN LP (dilauroyl peroxide). In addition, the mechanical properties were consistently enhanced or at least kept constant compared to the original material. In particular, the impact tensile strength but also the elongation at break could be increased considerably. This study showed that the blending of LCB-PP can increase the investigated properties and represents a promising option, especially when using recycled PP, which demonstrates a real "up-cycling" process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Stanic
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (T.K.); (V.-M.A.)
| | - Thomas Koch
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (T.K.); (V.-M.A.)
| | - Klaus Schmid
- Pergan GmbH, Schlavenhorst 71, 46395 Bocholt, Germany;
| | - Simone Knaus
- Institute of Applied Chemistry, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (T.K.); (V.-M.A.)
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