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Hejna A, Kosmela P, Olszewski A, Zedler Ł, Formela K, Skórczewska K, Piasecki A, Marć M, Barczewski R, Barczewski M. Management of ground tire rubber waste by incorporation into polyurethane-based composite foams. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:17591-17616. [PMID: 36701051 PMCID: PMC10923751 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25387-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Rapid economic growth implicated the developing multiple industry sectors, including the automotive branch, increasing waste generation since recycling and utilization methods have not been established simultaneously. A very severe threat is the generation of enormous amounts of post-consumer tires considered burdensome waste, e.g., due to the substantial emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Therefore, it is essential to develop novel, environmentally friendly methods for their utilization, which would hinder their environmental impacts. One of the most promising approaches is shredding, resulting in the generation of ground tire rubber (GTR), which can be introduced into polymeric materials as filler. The presented work is related to the thermomechanical treatment of GTR in a twin-screw extruder with zinc borate, whose incorporation is aimed to enhance shear forces within the extruder barrel. Modified GTR was introduced into flexible polyurethane (PU) foams, and the impact of modification parameters on the cellular structure, static and dynamic mechanical performance, thermal stability, as well as thermal insulation, and acoustic properties was investigated. Emissions of VOCs from applied fillers and prepared composites were monitored and evaluated. Depending on the treatment parameters, beneficial changes in foams' cellular structure were noted, which enhanced their thermal insulation performance, mechanical strength, and thermal stability. It was proven that the proposed method of GTR thermomechanical treatment assisted by zinc borate particles might benefit the performance of flexible PU foamed composites and hinder VOC emissions, which could broaden the application range of GTR and provide novel ways for its efficient utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Hejna
- Institute of Materials Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60-965, Poznań, Poland.
- Department of Polymer Technology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Paulina Kosmela
- Department of Polymer Technology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Adam Olszewski
- Department of Polymer Technology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Łukasz Zedler
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Formela
- Department of Polymer Technology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Skórczewska
- Department of Polymer Technology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-326, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Adam Piasecki
- Institute of Materials Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Jana Pawła II 24, 60-965, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mariusz Marć
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Roman Barczewski
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, Poznan University of Technology, Jana Pawła II 24, 60-965, Poznań, Poland
| | - Mateusz Barczewski
- Institute of Materials Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60-965, Poznań, Poland
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Moreno T, Balasch A, Bartrolí R, Eljarrat E. A new look at rubber recycling and recreational surfaces: The inorganic and OPE chemistry of vulcanised elastomers used in playgrounds and sports facilities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 868:161648. [PMID: 36669664 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We revisit current understanding of the chemical complexity of different kinds of particulate vulcanised elastomers widely used in playgrounds and sports fields, adding new data on trace element and organophosphate ester contents of used tyre and EDPM crumb rubber. Enrichments in elements such as Zn, S, Co, Bi and Nd relate to the vulcanised mixtures created during manufacture. Zinc concentrations vary across an order of magnitude, being highest in our used tyre particulate samples (up to 2.4 %). In contrast, other trace element variations are due to coloured pigments causing increases in Cu and Zr (blue), Cr (green), and Fe and Sn (red and yellow) concentrations. The use of pale fillers such as CaCO3 and clay minerals (rather than carbon black) strongly influences Ca and Al concentrations, which are much higher in the coloured EPDM than in black used tyre crumb rubber. Representatives from all three of the main organophosphate ester (OPE) groups, namely chlorinated (e.g. TCEP, TCIPP, TDCPP), alkyl (e.g. TEHP, TEP, TNBP, TBOEP) and aryl (e.g. TPHP, EHDPP, TCP) were identified, confirming how these chemicals are commonly used in modern rubber compounding as flame retardants and plasticisers. Elevated concentrations of TEHP (up to 117 μg/g) in coloured-coated used tyre turf infill crumb rubbers were traced to the coating rather than the crumb rubber itself. The presence and weathering behaviour of OPEs in recreational crumb rubber materials deserve closer investigation. The ecological "onehealth" impact of potentially toxic substances present in recreational crumb rubbers will depend on if and how they are released during play and sports activities, maintenance procedures, and natural weathering. We argue that detailed chemical data on these materials should be available to buyers, as manufacturers strive to reduce ecotoxin content as part of the quest towards sustainable use and recycling of vulcanised elastomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Moreno
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Studies (IDAEA), CSIC, 18-26 Jordi Girona, Barcelona 08034, Spain.
| | - Aleix Balasch
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Studies (IDAEA), CSIC, 18-26 Jordi Girona, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Rafael Bartrolí
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Studies (IDAEA), CSIC, 18-26 Jordi Girona, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Ethel Eljarrat
- Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Studies (IDAEA), CSIC, 18-26 Jordi Girona, Barcelona 08034, Spain
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Luna CBB, da Silva FS, da Silva Barbosa Ferreira E, da Silva AL, Wellen RMR, Araújo EM. Transforming vulcanized styrene–butadiene waste into valuable raw material: an opportunity for high-impact polypropylene production. Polym Bull (Berl) 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00289-023-04729-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
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