1
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Supercritical CO2 Foaming of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate). Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14102018. [PMID: 35631898 PMCID: PMC9144235 DOI: 10.3390/polym14102018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The supercritical carbon dioxide foaming characteristics of the biodegradable polymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-co-4HB)) are studied for environmentally friendly packaging materials. The effect of the 4HB composition of the P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymers on the foaming conditions such as pressure and temperature is studied and the density and the expansion ratio of the resulting P(3HB-co-4HB) foam are together evaluated. The increase in the 4HB content reduces the crystallinity and tan δ value of P(3HB-co-4HB) required for the growth of the foam cells. Therefore, the foaming temperature needs to be lower to retain a suitable tan δ value of P(3HB-co-4HB) for foaming. It was found that P(3HB-co-4HB) with less crystallinity showed better formability and cell uniformity. However, foaming is not possible regardless of the foaming temperature when the 4HB content of P(3HB-co-4HB) is over 50%, due to the high tan δ value. A lower foam density and higher expansion ratio can be obtained with crystalline P(3HB-co-4HB) of low 4HB content, compared with non-crystalline P(3HB-co-4HB) of high 4HB content. The expansion ratio of P(3HB-co-4HB) foams can be increased slightly by using a chain extender, due to the lowing of crystallinity and tan δ. This is most effective in the case of P(3HB-co-4HB), whose 4HB content is 16%.
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2
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Ruamcharoen J, Phetphaisit CW, Ruamcharoen P. Green rigid polyurethane foam from hydroxyl liquid natural rubbers as macro-hydroxyl polyols. J CELL PLAST 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/0021955x221074405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The novel renewable source precursors from hydroxyl liquid natural rubbers (HLNRs) with various secondary hydroxyl content of 22% (HLNR22), 35% (HLNR35), and 50% (HLNR50) (or naming macro-hydroxyl polyols) were used to prepare rigid polyurethane foam. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydroxyl content of HLNR precursors and the ratio of HLNRs and commercial polyols on physico-mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foams in comparison to foams made from commercial polyols. The increase in hydroxyl content of HLNRs resulted in the foams with larger cell size while the increase in the HLNR portion caused a small and more uniform cell size, which is related to their density and compressive strength. Thermal stability of polyurethane foams was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and the results have demonstrated that the use of HLNR polyols improved thermal stability of polyurethane foams in comparison to commercial foam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jareerat Ruamcharoen
- Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
| | - Chor Wayakron Phetphaisit
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Biomaterials, Naresuan University, Thailand
| | - Polphat Ruamcharoen
- Rubber and Polymer Technology Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Songkhla Rajabhat University, Thailand
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3
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Rokkonen T, Willberg-Keyriläinen P, Ropponen J, Malm T. Foamability of Cellulose Palmitate Using Various Physical Blowing Agents in the Extrusion Process. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13152416. [PMID: 34372019 PMCID: PMC8347262 DOI: 10.3390/polym13152416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymer foams are widely used in several fields such as thermal insulation, acoustics, automotive, and packaging. The most widely used polymer foams are made of polyurethane, polystyrene, and polyethylene but environmental awareness is boosting interest towards alternative bio-based materials. In this study, the suitability of bio-based thermoplastic cellulose palmitate for extrusion foaming was studied. Isobutane, carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen (N2) were tested as blowing agents in different concentrations. Each of them enabled cellulose palmitate foam formation. Isobutane foams exhibited the lowest density with the largest average cell size and nitrogen foams indicated most uniform cell morphology. The effect of die temperature on foamability was further studied with isobutane (3 wt%) as a blowing agent. Die temperature had a relatively low impact on foam density and the differences were mainly encountered with regard to surface quality and cell size distribution. This study demonstrates that cellulose palmitate can be foamed but to produce foams with greater quality, the material homogeneity needs to be improved and researched further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teijo Rokkonen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Visiokatu 4, P.O. Box 1300, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Pia Willberg-Keyriläinen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Tietotie 4E, P.O Box 1000, FI-02044 Espoo, Finland; (P.W.-K.); (J.R.)
| | - Jarmo Ropponen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Tietotie 4E, P.O Box 1000, FI-02044 Espoo, Finland; (P.W.-K.); (J.R.)
| | - Tero Malm
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Visiokatu 4, P.O. Box 1300, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland;
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4
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Biocomposite foams based on polyhydroxyalkanoate and nanocellulose: Morphological and thermo-mechanical characterization. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 164:1867-1878. [PMID: 32758612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The application of bio-based and biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is restricted by its high cost and brittleness. In the present work, these deficiencies were overcome by the manufacture of PHBV foams using thermally expandable microspheres (TES). Nanocellulose (Nc) and a crosslinking agent were added to PHBV-TES to control the foam structure and to improve the mechanical properties. Foams with almost perfect pores, well embedded in the polymer matrix, were obtained by a simple melt molding process. The closed-cell foams have a density 2.5-2.7 times lower than that of PHBV. The addition of Nc increased the expansion ratio, cell density and porosity and also led to a more uniform cell size distribution. The incorporation of the crosslinking agent, together with Nc and TES, increased the glass transition temperature with about 7 °C and strengthened the PHBV-Nc interactions. PHBV foams showed a 1.7-3 times higher deformation compared to PHBV and absorbed up to 15 times more energy. The fully biodegradable PHBV-Nc foams obtained in this work exhibit an advantageous porosity, good specific mechanical properties and high energy absorption, being promising alternatives for insulation, packaging or biomedical application.
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5
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Meereboer K, Pal AK, Misra M, Mohanty AK. Sustainable PHBV/Cellulose Acetate Blends: Effect of a Chain Extender and a Plasticizer. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:14221-14231. [PMID: 32596558 PMCID: PMC7315424 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and cellulose acetate (CA) were blended in the presence of a plasticizer, i.e., triethyl citrate (TEC), and a chain extender, i.e., poly(styrene-acrylic-co-glycidyl methacrylate). To increase the ductility and impact properties of PHBV and to investigate a new biodegradable PHBV-based blend for sustainable packaging, CA was compatibilized with TEC. PHBV and plasticized CA (pCA) blends showed complete immiscibility through separate glass transition and melting peak temperatures in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), despite the similar Hansen solubility parameters of PHBV, CA, and TEC, indicating partial miscibility. Phase separation between PHBV and pCA was clearly observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PHBV/pCA (70:30) blends had improved impact strength, exceeding that of neat PHBV and pCA, which is attributed to PHBV porosity induced by degradation from the high processing temperature. During processing, the plasticizer migrated from CA to PHBV and partially plasticized it, as evidenced through DSC analysis. The melt temperature of PHBV was reduced, which was confirmed by double melting peaks, representing the formation of secondary crystallites at a lower temperature. Due to processing at high temperatures (210-220 °C), significant porosity was observed in the PHBV/pCA 30:70 blend in SEM analysis. Consequently, the impact strength was improved by 110% as compared to that of virgin PHBV. The addition of CE had no effect on the mechanical properties but did make the PHBV/pCA blends morphologically uniform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjeld
W. Meereboer
- Bioproducts
Discovery and Development Centre, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Crop Science
Building, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- School
of Engineering, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Thornbrough Building, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Akhilesh K. Pal
- Bioproducts
Discovery and Development Centre, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Crop Science
Building, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Manjusri Misra
- Bioproducts
Discovery and Development Centre, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Crop Science
Building, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- School
of Engineering, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Thornbrough Building, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Amar K. Mohanty
- Bioproducts
Discovery and Development Centre, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Crop Science
Building, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
- School
of Engineering, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Thornbrough Building, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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Liu LY, Xie GJ, Xing DF, Liu BF, Ding J, Ren NQ. Biological conversion of methane to polyhydroxyalkanoates: Current advances, challenges, and perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:100029. [PMID: 36160923 PMCID: PMC9487992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2020.100029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Methane emissions and plastic pollution are critical global challenges. The biological conversion of methane to poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) not only mitigates methane emissions but also provides biodegradable polymer substitutes for petroleum-based materials used in plastics production. This work provides an early overview of the methane-based PHB advances and discusses challenges and related strategies. Recent advances of PHB, including PHB biosynthetic pathways, methanotrophs, bioreactors, and the performances of PHB materials are introduced. Major challenges of methane-based PHB production are discussed in detail; these include low efficiency of methanotrophs, low gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency, and poor material properties. To overcome these limitations, various approaches are also explored, such as feast-famine regimes, engineered microorganisms, gas-permeable membrane bioreactors, two-phase partitioning bioreactors, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate synthesis, and molecular weight manipulation.
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Puppi D, Pecorini G, Chiellini F. Biomedical Processing of Polyhydroxyalkanoates. Bioengineering (Basel) 2019; 6:E108. [PMID: 31795345 PMCID: PMC6955737 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering6040108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapidly growing interest on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) processing for biomedical purposes is justified by the unique combinations of characteristics of this class of polymers in terms of biocompatibility, biodegradability, processing properties, and mechanical behavior, as well as by their great potential for sustainable production. This article aims at overviewing the most exploited processing approaches employed in the biomedical area to fabricate devices and other medical products based on PHA for experimental and commercial applications. For this purpose, physical and processing properties of PHA are discussed in relationship to the requirements of conventionally-employed processing techniques (e.g., solvent casting and melt-spinning), as well as more advanced fabrication approaches (i.e., electrospinning and additive manufacturing). Key scientific investigations published in literature regarding different aspects involved in the processing of PHA homo- and copolymers, such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), are critically reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Puppi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, UdR INSTM – Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | | | - Federica Chiellini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, UdR INSTM – Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
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8
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Gas Dissolution Foaming as a Novel Approach for the Production of Lightweight Biocomposites of PHB/Natural Fibre Fabrics. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:polym10030249. [PMID: 30966284 PMCID: PMC6415188 DOI: 10.3390/polym10030249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to propose and explore a novel approach for the production of cellular lightweight natural fibre, nonwoven, fabric-reinforced biocomposites by means of gas dissolution foaming from composite precursors of polyhydroxybutyrate-based matrix and flax fabric reinforcement. The main challenge is the development of a regular cellular structure in the polymeric matrix to reach a weight reduction while keeping a good fibre-matrix stress transfer and adhesion. The viability of the process is evaluated through the analysis of the cellular structure and morphology of the composites. The effect of matrix modification, nonwoven treatment, expansion temperature, and expansion pressure on the density and cellular structure of the cellular composites is evaluated. It was found that the nonwoven fabric plays a key role in the formation of a uniform cellular morphology, although limiting the maximum expansion ratio of the composites. Cellular composites with a significant reduction of weight (relative densities in the range 0.4⁻0.5) were successfully obtained.
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9
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Eco-friendly cellulose acetate butyrate/poly(butylene succinate) blends: crystallization, miscibility, thermostability, rheological and mechanical properties. JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10965-016-1165-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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10
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Ventura H, Laguna-Gutiérrez E, Rodriguez-Perez MA, Ardanuy M. Effect of chain extender and water-quenching on the properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) foams for its production by extrusion foaming. Eur Polym J 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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11
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Tsui A, Wright Z, Frank CW. Prediction of gas solubility in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co
-3-hydroxyvalerate) melt to inform process design and resulting foam microstructure. POLYM ENG SCI 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.23822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tsui
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Stanford University; Stanford California 94305
| | - Zach Wright
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Stanford University; Stanford California 94305
| | - Curtis W. Frank
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Stanford University; Stanford California 94305
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12
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Tsui A, Frank CW. Impact of Processing Temperature and Composition on Foaming of Biodegradable Poly(hydroxyalkanoate) Blends. Ind Eng Chem Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1021/ie5021766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tsui
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, 381 North-South Mall, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Curtis W. Frank
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, 381 North-South Mall, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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13
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Gong P, Ohshima M. Open-cell foams of polyethylene terephthalate/bisphenol a polycarbonate blend. POLYM ENG SCI 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.23894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pengjian Gong
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
| | - Masahiro Ohshima
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Kyoto University; Kyoto Japan
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14
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Wright ZC, Frank CW. Increasing cell homogeneity of semicrystalline, biodegradable polymer foams with a narrow processing window via rapid quenching. POLYM ENG SCI 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.23847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary C. Wright
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Stanford University; Stanford California
| | - Curtis W. Frank
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Stanford University; Stanford California
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15
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Abstract
Environmental concerns have led to the development of biorenewable polymers with the ambition to utilize them at an industrial scale. Poly(lactic acid) and poly(hydroxyalkanoates) are semicrystalline, biorenewable polymers that have been identified as the most promising alternatives to conventional plastics. However, both are inherently susceptible to brittleness and degradation during thermal processing; we discuss several approaches to overcome these problems to create a balance between durability and biodegradability. For example, copolymers and blends can increase ductility and the thermal-processing window. Furthermore, chain modifications (e.g., branching/crosslinking), processing techniques (fiber drawing/annealing), or additives (plasticizers/nucleating agents) can improve mechanical properties and prevent thermal degradation during processing. Finally, we examine the impacts of morphology on end-of-life degradation to complete the picture for the most common renewable polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Tsui
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305;, ,
| | - Zachary C. Wright
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305;, ,
| | - Curtis W. Frank
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305;, ,
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