Electrochemical evaluation of textile industry waste derived carbon particles for UV-cured epoxy composites

Surface modification and characterization of waste derived carbon particles to reinforce photo-cured shape memory composites

Carbon fillers have been a source of inspiration to accommodate a range of surface chemistries for different applications. In this study different surface chemistries have been compared for shape memory effect on polymeric composites. Sugar industry waste (fly ash) has been utilized to prepare carbon particles named FCB. Surface modification of FCB has been done in two steps, oxidation and thiolation, respectively. In the first step, different reagents have been used to anchor the surface of FCB with oxygenated functionalities. In the second step, oxygenated FCB has been treated with a thiolating agent to covalently link thio groups on its surface. Polymeric composites have been photo cured with both types of particles, separately. A thermal actuation study has been carried out to check the shape recovery behavior of the composites. A quick shape recovery has been observed for thiolated FCB composites, due to thio linkages in the polymeric network. Samples have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance (ATR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), pH, conductivity, acid content particle dispersion, and composite gel content.

Carbon fillers have been a source of inspiration to accommodate a range of surface chemistries for different applications.

State of the art of post-consumer textile waste upcycling to reach the zero waste milestone

The textile industry is a large source of pollution due to the production of raw materials (natural and synthetic fibers), preparation and finishing processes, as well as due to textile waste, especially the post-consumer waste. This paper is an attempt to change the perception concerning such waste. In the context of circular economy, textile waste has to be conceived as a source for carbon and energy. A new attitude is compulsory due to the increase of post-consumer waste quantity since the volume of textile consumption has lately increased. Fast fashion cycle and cheaper textile products having a shorter lifetime led to an increase of the quantity of post-consumer textile waste. Demands for pollution reduction generated the concern to upcycle the textile waste in order to recover, at least partially, the materials as well as the energy consumed for their manufacture, reducing accordingly the carbon and water footprints of these products,. The scarcity of raw materials and of fossil fuels, the high environmental impact of the simple disposal of waste, imposed a new policy regarding the transformation of the linear economy which characterizes today's textile industry into a circular one, leading to a lower environmental impact. This involves the valorization of post-consumer waste by recycling or at least by a partial recovery of the materials and energy spent for the manufacture of these products. A good management of post-consumer textile waste is mandatory for attaining a zero waste target. Some good practices in the field are presented by this paper.