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Aarsen C, Liguori A, Mattsson R, Sipponen MH, Hakkarainen M. Designed to Degrade: Tailoring Polyesters for Circularity. Chem Rev 2024; 124:8473-8515. [PMID: 38936815 PMCID: PMC11240263 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
A powerful toolbox is needed to turn the linear plastic economy into circular. Development of materials designed for mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and/or biodegradation in targeted end-of-life environment are all necessary puzzle pieces in this process. Polyesters, with reversible ester bonds, are already forerunners in plastic circularity: poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is the most recycled plastic material suitable for mechanical and chemical recycling, while common aliphatic polyesters are biodegradable under favorable conditions, such as industrial compost. However, this circular design needs to be further tailored for different end-of-life options to enable chemical recycling under greener conditions and/or rapid enough biodegradation even under less favorable environmental conditions. Here, we discuss molecular design of the polyester chain targeting enhancement of circularity by incorporation of more easily hydrolyzable ester bonds, additional dynamic bonds, or degradation catalyzing functional groups as part of the polyester chain. The utilization of polyester circularity to design replacement materials for current volume plastics is also reviewed as well as embedment of green catalysts, such as enzymes in biodegradable polyester matrices to facilitate the degradation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine
V. Aarsen
- Department
of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal
Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 58, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Liguori
- Department
of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal
Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 58, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rebecca Mattsson
- Department
of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal
Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 58, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mika H. Sipponen
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, 106
91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Minna Hakkarainen
- Department
of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal
Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 58, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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2
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Li X, Liu Z, Liu Z, Li Y, Tang L, Zhang W, Lu X, Li Y, Niu R, Qu J. High transparency, degradable and UV-protective poly(lactic acid) composites based on elongational rheology and chain extender assisted melt blending. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 256:128469. [PMID: 38040153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Conventional polylactic acid (PLA) melt plasticization and toughening processes are typically achieved at the expense of PLA strength and transparency, which is clearly detrimental to its application in areas such as smart home and food packaging. Herein, an ultraviolet (UV)-protective PLA-based composite (PP6) that simultaneously achieves high strength (63.3 MPa), high plasticity (125.3 %), and enhanced toughness (4.3 kJ/m2) by adding only 6 wt% poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P34HB) under the assist of 1 wt% chain extender was prepared using melt blending technique. Benefiting from the cross-linking effect of the chain extender and the elongational flow during processing, the compatibility between P34HB and PLA, as well as the thermomechanical properties, heat resistance, and biodegradable properties of the composite, have been enhanced significantly. The extremely low melt enthalpy (1.9 J/g) and the low crystallinity PLA phase contribute to an appropriate transparency (78.3 % of glass in 400-1100 nm). The prepared composites display mid- and long-wave UV-protective performance, which is superior to conventional industrial glasses. Through the superior elongational rheology technology, PP6 maintains favorable overall properties even after six thermomechanical cycles. Collectively, the composite fabricated in this work is an attractive candidate for future applications such as smart windows, food packaging, agricultural films, and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Li
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure and Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Zhipeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure and Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Zhigang Liu
- COFCO(Jilin) Bio-Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., Changchun 130000, PR China
| | - Ying Li
- COFCO(Jilin) Bio-Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., Changchun 130000, PR China
| | - Lei Tang
- COFCO(Jilin) Bio-Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., Changchun 130000, PR China
| | - Wei Zhang
- COFCO(Jilin) Bio-Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., Changchun 130000, PR China
| | - Xiang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure and Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
| | - Yi Li
- COFCO(Jilin) Bio-Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., Changchun 130000, PR China.
| | - Ran Niu
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure and Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China.
| | - Jinping Qu
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure and Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China.
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3
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Yang XM, Qiu S, Yusuf A, Sun J, Zhai Z, Zhao J, Yin GZ. Recent advances in flame retardant and mechanical properties of polylactic acid: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2023:125050. [PMID: 37257540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The large-scale application of ecofriendly polymeric materials has become a key focus of scientific research with the trend toward sustainable development. Mechanical properties and fire safety are two critical considerations of biopolymers for large-scale applications. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a flammable, melt-drop carrying, and strong but brittle polymer. Hence, it is essential to achieve both flame retardancy and mechanical enhancement to improve safety and broaden its application. This study reviews the recent research on the flame retardant functionalization and mechanical reinforcement of PLA. It classifies PLA according to the type of the flame retardant strategy employed, such as surface-modified fibers, modified nano/micro fillers, small-molecule and macromolecular flame retardants, flame retardants with fibers or polymers, and chain extension or crosslinking with other flame retardants. The functionalization strategies and main parameters of the modified PLA systems are summarized and analyzed. This study summarizes the latest advances in the fields of flame retardancy and mechanical reinforcement of PLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Mei Yang
- Zhejiang Ruico Advanced Material Co., Ltd., Huzhou 313018, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shuang Qiu
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029 Beijing, China
| | - Abdulmalik Yusuf
- E.T.S. de Ingenieros de Caminos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Profesor Aranguren 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jun Sun
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029 Beijing, China.
| | - Zhongjie Zhai
- Zhejiang Ruico Advanced Material Co., Ltd., Huzhou 313018, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Junhuan Zhao
- Zhejiang Ruico Advanced Material Co., Ltd., Huzhou 313018, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Guang-Zhong Yin
- Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Ctra. Pozuelo-Majadahonda Km 1.800, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain.
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Bher A, Cho Y, Auras R. Boosting Degradation of Biodegradable Polymers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2200769. [PMID: 36648129 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradation of polymers in composting conditions is an alternative end-of-life (EoL) scenario for contaminated materials collected through the municipal solid waste management system, mainly when mechanical or chemical methods cannot be used to recycle them. Compostability certification requirements are time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, approaches to accelerate the biodegradation of these polymers in simulated composting conditions can facilitate and speed up the evaluation and selection of potential compostable polymer alternatives and inform faster methods to biodegrade these polymers in real composting. This review highlights recent trends, challenges, and future strategies to accelerate biodegradation by modifying the polymer properties/structure and the compost environment. Both abiotic and biotic methods show potential for accelerating the biodegradation of biodegradable polymers. Abiotic methods, such as the incorporation of additives, reduction of molecular weight, reduction of size and reactive blending, are potentially the most straightforward, providing a level of technology that allows for easy adoption and adaptability. Novel methods, including the concept of self-immolative and triggering the scission of polymer chains in specific conditions, are increasingly sought. In terms of biotic methods, dispersion/encapsulation of enzymes during the processing step, biostimulation of the environment, and bioaugmentation with specific microbial strains during the biodegradation process are promising to accelerate biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anibal Bher
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Yujung Cho
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Rafael Auras
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
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Linghu C, Xie L, Yang L, Li X, Tao Y, Xu Y, Luo Z. Preparation and characterization of maleic anhydride‐based double‐monomer grafted polylactic acid compatibilizer. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Changkai Linghu
- College of Materials and Metallurgy Guizhou University Guiyang Guizhou China
| | - Lijin Xie
- College of Materials and Metallurgy Guizhou University Guiyang Guizhou China
| | - Le Yang
- School of Materials and Energy Engineering Guizhou Institute of Technology Guiyang Guizhou China
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Huazhong University of Science & Technology Wuhan Hubei China
| | - Yao Tao
- College of Materials and Metallurgy Guizhou University Guiyang Guizhou China
| | - Yinhan Xu
- College of Materials and Metallurgy Guizhou University Guiyang Guizhou China
| | - Zhu Luo
- College of Materials and Metallurgy Guizhou University Guiyang Guizhou China
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