Eco-thermoplastic Elastomer Blends Developed by Compatibilizing Chlorinated Polyethylene into Industrial-Waste-Filled Polypropylene/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber System

Comprehensive risk assessment of microplastics in tidal channel sediments in amazonian mangroves (northern Brazil)

Pollution by microplastics (MPs) in mangroves is a growing concern, given its potential ecological and human health impacts. The characteristics of microplastic pollution and a risk assessment of MPs in the Amazon region's coastal sediments are still insufficient, and information about MP pollution in the benthic component of the mangrove ecosystem is lacking. We analyzed MP concentrations in the surface sediment of 9 stations in three tidal channels along the Ajuruteua Peninsula connected to the Caeté River estuary, aiming to assess the hazard level on the environment based on the Pollution Load Index (PLI). Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy determined the MP's chemical composition. The results showed that the abundance of sediment MPs ranged from 100 to 1200 items kg-1, with an average of 433 ± 261.6 items kg-1. The MPs were mainly composed of transparent and blue fragments and fibers, ranging in size from 100 to 5000 μm. Six types of polymers were identified, including alkyd varnish (AV), resin dispersion (RD), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), polyethylene-polypropylene (PE-PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and hostaperm blue (HB). Hydrodynamic processes within estuaries and tidal channels play a crucial role in explaining the concentrations found, as circulation determines the pattern of sediment deposition and the particles adhered to it. PLI risk assessment showed that all sampling sites were at hazard level I: a low level of contamination in the mangrove sediments. However, a more comprehensive and systematic monitoring campaign is needed to expand our knowledge about pollution and contamination by MPs in Amazon mangrove areas.

Recycling Polyethylene/Polyamide Multilayer Films with Poly(isoprene-g-Maleic Anhydride) Compatibilizer

Polymers generally form incompatible mixtures that make the process of recycling difficult, especially the mechanical recycling of mixed plastic waste. One of the most commonly used films in the packaging industry is multilayer films, mainly composed of polyethylene (PE) and polyamide (PA). Recycling these materials with such different molecular structures requires the use of compatibilizers to minimize phase separation and obtain more useful recycled materials. In this work, commercial polyisoprene-graft-maleic anhydride (PI-g-MA) was tested as a compatibilizer for a blend of PE and PA derived from the mechanical recycling of PE/PA multilayer films. Different amounts of PI-g-MA were tested, and the films made with 1.5% PI-g-MA showed the best results in terms of mechanical properties and dart impact. The films were also characterized thermally via thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and morphologically using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Other parameters, such as tearing and perforation, were analyzed.

Study on Regenerative Processing Performance of Chlorinated Polyethylene Based on Wireless Network and Artificial Intelligence Technology

The development of Information Technology has intruded the chemical industry. In the conventional chemical industry, humans are involved in monitoring the chemical evaporation processes. If there is any damage, then humans suffer enormously. These drawbacks are overcome in the chemical industry by implanting the sensors to the required blocks for monitoring the levels of chemical substances. An alert system can be introduced with an artificial intelligence algorithm to regenerate the process using details updated in the database. In this research, the machine-based Time-Temperature Superposition (TTS) method is implemented to monitor the chemical reactions in the chemical component manufacturing company.

Transforming Marble Waste into High-Performance, Water-Resistant, and Thermally Insulative Hybrid Polymer Composites for Environmental Sustainability

Marble waste is generated by marble processing units in large quantities and dumped onto open land areas. This creates environmental problems by contaminating soil, water, and air with adverse health effects on all the living organisms. In this work, we report on understanding the use of calcium-rich marble waste particulates (MPs) as economic reinforcement in recyclable polypropylene (PP) to prepare sustainable composites via the injection molding method. The process was optimized to make lightweight and high-strength thermally insulated sustainable composites. Physicochemical, mineralogical, and microscopic characterization of the processed marble waste particulates were carried out in detail. Composite samples were subsequently prepared via the injection molding technique with different filler concentrations (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) on weight fraction at temperatures of 160, 180, and 200 °C. Detailed analysis of the mechanical and thermal properties of the fabricated composites was carried out. The composites showed a density varying from 0.96 to 1.27 g/cm³, while the water absorption capacity was very low at 0.006%-0.034%. Marble waste particulates were found to considerably increase the tensile, as well as flexural, strength of the sustainable composites, which varied from 22.06 to 30.65 MPa and 43.27 to 58.11MPa, respectively, for the molding temperature of 160 °C. The impact strength of the sustainable composites was found to surge with the increment in filler concentration, and the maximum impact strength was recorded as 1.66 kJ/m²with 20% particulates reinforcement at a molding temperature of 200 °C. The thermal conductivity of the particulates-reinforced sustainable composites was as low as 0.23 Wm^-1K^-1 at a 200 °C molding temperature with 20% and 40% filler concentrations, and the maximum thermal conductivity was 0.48 Wm^-1K^-1 at a 160 °C molding temperature with 80% filler concentration. Our findings have shown a technically feasible option for manufacturing a lightweight composite with better mechanical and thermal properties using marble waste particulates as a potential civil infrastructural material.