Degradation under composting conditions of lysine-modified polyurethane based on PCL obtained by lipase biocatalysis

Bio-Catalysis for the Functionalization of Cellulose Nanocrystals

In this work, the chemical modification of cellulose nanocrystals (NCs) using an enzyme as a catalyst has been performed by a “grafting from” reaction, in order to covalently functionalize the external surface of NCs with both poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) by ring-opening polymerization. Firstly, cellulose nanocrystals were prepared from commercial cellulose microcrystals by acid hydrolysis and then functionalized by using Yarrowia lipolytica lipase immobilized on Lewatit resin as a catalyst. To confirm the success of the grafting reactions, 1H-NMR has been performed as well as FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis has been used to determine the amount of polymeric chains grafted onto the surface of cellulose nanocrystals. Furthermore, the crystalline nature of the polymeric chains grafted onto the cellulose surface has been studied by DSC, X-ray scattering, as well as SAXS analysis. To our knowledge, it is the first time that a biocatalyst approach has been used to obtain biopolymeric functionalized cellulose nanocrystals.

A Brief Introduction to the Polyurethanes According to the Principles of Green Chemistry

Polyurethanes are most often called “green” when they contain natural, renewable additives in their network or chemical structure, such as mono- and polysaccharides, oils (mainly vegetable oils), polyphenols (e.g., lignins, tannins), or various compounds derived from agro-waste white biotechnology (Principle 7). This usually results in these polyurethanes obtained from less hazardous substrates (Principle 4). Appropriate modification of polyurethanes makes them susceptible to degradation, and the use of appropriate processes allows for their recycling (Principle 10). However, this fulfilment of other principles also predisposes them to be green. As in the production of other polymer materials, the synthesis of polyurethanes is carried out with the use of catalysts (such as biocatalysts) (Principle 9) with full control of the course of the reaction (Principle 11), which allows maximization of the atomic economy (Principle 2) and an increase in energy efficiency (Principle 6) while minimizing the risk of production waste (Principle 1). Moreover, traditional substrates in the synthesis of polyurethanes can be replaced with less toxic ones (e.g., in non-isocyanate polyurethanes), which, at the same time, leads to a non-toxic product (Principle 3, Principle 5). In general, there is no need for blocking compounds to provide intermediates in the synthesis of polyurethanes (Principle 8). Reasonable storage of substrates, their transport, and the synthesis of polyurethanes guarantee the safety and the prevention of uncontrolled reactions (Principle 12). This publication is a summary of the achievements of scientists and technologists who are constantly working to create ideal polyurethanes that do not pollute the environment, and their synthesis and use are consistent with the principles of sustainable economy.

Effect of Yerba Mate and Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles on the Migration Properties in Ethanolic Food Simulants and Composting Disintegrability of Recycled PLA Nanocomposites

The main objective of the present research is to study the effect of the incorporation of low amounts of silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNs) and yerba mate nanoparticles (YMNs) on the migration phenomenon into ethanolic food simulants as well as on the disintegrability under composting conditions of mechanically recycled polylactic acid (PLA). Recycled PLA was obtained under simulated recycling conditions by melt processing virgin PLA into films and further subjecting them to an accelerated aging process, which involved photochemical, thermal, and hydrothermal aging steps followed by an intense washing step. SFNs were extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons and YMNs from yerba mate waste. Then, recycled PLA was melted, reprocessed, and reinforced with either 1%wt. of SFNs or YMNs, by melt extrusion, and further processed into films by compression molding. The obtained nanocomposites were exposed to ethanolic food simulants (ethanol 10% v/v, simulant A and ethanol 50% v/v, simulant D1) and the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties were studied before and after the exposure to the food simulants. The migration levels in both food simulants were below the overall migration limits required for food contact materials. The materials were disintegrated under simulated composting conditions at the laboratory scale level and it was observed that the nanoparticles delayed the disintegration rate of the recycled PLA matrix, but nanocomposites were fully disintegrated in less than one month.

Electrospinning of PCL-Based Blends: Processing Optimization for Their Scalable Production

In this work poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based electrospun mats were prepared by blending PCL with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The electrospinning processing parameters were firstly optimized with the aim to obtain scalable PCL-based electrospun mats to be used in the industrial sector. Neat PCL as well as PCL-MCC and PCL-PHB based mats in different proportions (99:1; 95:5; 90:10) were prepared. A complete morphological, thermal and mechanical characterization of the developed materials was carried out. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showed that the addition of PHB to the PCL matrix considerably reduced the formation of beads. Both the addition of MCC and PHB reduced the thermal stability of PCL, but obtained materials with enough thermal stability for the intended use. The electrospun PCL fibers show greatly reduced flexibility with respect to the PCL bulk material, however when PCL is blended with PHB their stretchability is increased, changing their elongation at break from 35% to 70% when 10 wt% of PHB is blended with PCL. However, the mechanical response of the different blends increases with respect to the neat electrospun PCL, offering the possibility to modulate their properties according to the required industrial applications.