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Cruz RMS, Rainer B, Wagner I, Krauter V, Janalíková M, Vicente AA, Vieira JM. Valorization of Cork Stoppers, Coffee-Grounds and Walnut Shells in the Development and Characterization of Pectin-Based Composite Films: Physical, Barrier, Antioxidant, Genotoxic, and Biodegradation Properties. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1053. [PMID: 38674972 PMCID: PMC11053454 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of sustainable materials from the valorization of waste is a good alternative to reducing the negative environmental impact of plastic packaging. The objectives of this study were to develop and characterize pectin-based composite films incorporated with cork or cork with either coffee grounds or walnut shells, as well as to test the films' genotoxicity, antioxidant properties, and biodegradation capacity in soil and seawater. The addition of cork, coffee grounds, or walnut shells modified the films' characteristics. The results showed that those films were thicker (0.487 ± 0.014 mm to 0.572 ± 0.014 mm), more opaque (around 100%), darker (L* = 25.30 ± 0.78 to 33.93 ± 0.84), and had a higher total phenolic content (3.17 ± 0.01 mg GA/g to 4.24 ± 0.02 mg GA/g). On the other hand, the films incorporated only with cork showed higher values of elongation at break (32.24 ± 1.88% to 36.30 ± 3.25%) but lower tensile strength (0.91 ± 0.19 MPa to 1.09 ± 0.08 MPa). All the films presented more heterogeneous and rougher microstructures than the pectin film. This study also revealed that the developed films do not contain DNA-reactive substances and that they are biodegradable in soil and seawater. These positive properties could subsequently make the developed films an interesting eco-friendly food packaging solution that contributes to the valorization of organic waste and by-products, thus promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of plastic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui M. S. Cruz
- Department of Food Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Universidade do Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Bernhard Rainer
- Packaging and Resource Management, Department Applied Life Sciences, FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1100 Vienna, Austria; (B.R.); (I.W.); (V.K.)
| | - Isabella Wagner
- Packaging and Resource Management, Department Applied Life Sciences, FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1100 Vienna, Austria; (B.R.); (I.W.); (V.K.)
| | - Victoria Krauter
- Packaging and Resource Management, Department Applied Life Sciences, FH Campus Wien, University of Applied Sciences, 1100 Vienna, Austria; (B.R.); (I.W.); (V.K.)
| | - Magda Janalíková
- Department of Environmental Protection Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Vavrečkova 275, 760 01 Zlín, Czech Republic;
| | - António A. Vicente
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.A.V.); (J.M.V.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Jorge M. Vieira
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.A.V.); (J.M.V.)
- LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Pączkowski P. Properties of Eco-Friendly Composites Based on Post-Consumer Recycled Resin Filled with Walnut Shell Powder. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4389. [PMID: 38006113 PMCID: PMC10674546 DOI: 10.3390/polym15224389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased demand for environmentally friendly materials resulted in a worldwide interest in manufacturing composite materials from agricultural wastes. Thus, this paper presents the results of research on the synthesis of eco-friendly composites and their properties. For their preparation, unsaturated polyester resin based on post-consumer recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) was filled with walnut (Júglans régia L.) shell powder. After the filler incorporation, the deterioration of gloss and mechanical properties were observed. The flexural strength and modulus are significantly affected by the filler amount. Distilled water, 1% sodium hydroxide, toluene, and acetone were used as solvents in the chemical resistance test. Changes to the structure and properties of composites after 49 days of immersion in solvents were investigated. The immersion in water has no significant effect on the pure resin, but for its composites, the plasticizing effect of water was observed. The results show that all specimens show resistance toward toluene. In acetone, the resin and its composite shrink and fall into pieces, but the most destructive is an alkaline environment. After the immersion test, a huge increase in mass and a deterioration of gloss and mechanical properties were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Pączkowski
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Gliniana 33, 20-614 Lublin, Poland
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Masek A, Olejnik O, Czechowski L, Kaźmierczyk F, Miszczak S, Węgier A, Krauze S. Epoxy Resin-Based Materials Containing Natural Additives of Plant Origin Dedicated to Rail Transport. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:7080. [PMID: 38005010 PMCID: PMC10672540 DOI: 10.3390/ma16227080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The presented study is focused on the modification of commercially available epoxy resin with flame retardants by means of using natural substances, including quercetin hydrate and potato starch. The main aim was to obtain environmentally friendly material dedicated to rail transport that is resistant to the aging process during exploitation but also more prone to biodegradation in environmental conditions after usage. Starch is a natural biopolymer that can be applied as a pro-ecological filler, which may contribute to degradation in environmental conditions, while quercetin hydrate is able to prevent a composite from premature degradation during exploitation. To determine the aging resistance of the prepared materials, the measurements of hardness, color, mechanical properties and surface free energy were performed before and after solar aging. To assess the mechanical properties of the composite material, one-directional tensile tests were performed for three directions (0, 90, 45 degrees referred to the plate edges). Moreover, the FT-IR spectra of pristine and aged materials were obtained to observe the changes in chemical structure. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis was conducted to achieve information about the impact of natural substances on the thermal resistance of the achieved composites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Masek
- Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego Str. 16, 90-537 Lodz, Poland; (O.O.); (A.W.)
| | - Olga Olejnik
- Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego Str. 16, 90-537 Lodz, Poland; (O.O.); (A.W.)
| | - Leszek Czechowski
- Department of Strength of Materials, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego Str. 1/15, 90-537 Lodz, Poland; (L.C.); (F.K.)
| | - Filip Kaźmierczyk
- Department of Strength of Materials, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego Str. 1/15, 90-537 Lodz, Poland; (L.C.); (F.K.)
| | - Sebastian Miszczak
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego Str. 1/15, 90-537 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Węgier
- Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego Str. 16, 90-537 Lodz, Poland; (O.O.); (A.W.)
- S.Z.T.K. “TAPS”—Maciej Kowalski, ul. Borowa 4, 94-247 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Sławomir Krauze
- S.Z.T.K. “TAPS”—Maciej Kowalski, ul. Borowa 4, 94-247 Lodz, Poland;
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Wei L, Wang L, Cui Z, Liu Y, Du A. Multifunctional Applications of Ionic Liquids in Polymer Materials: A Brief Review. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093836. [PMID: 37175245 PMCID: PMC10180292 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As a new generation of green media and functional materials, ionic liquids (ILs) have been extensively investigated in scientific and industrial communities, which have found numerous ap-plications in polymeric materials. On the one hand, much of the research has determined that ILs can be applied to modify polymers which use nanofillers such as carbon black, silica, graphene oxide, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, etc., toward the fabrication of high-performance polymer composites. On the other hand, ILs were extensively reported to be utilized to fabricate polymeric materials with improved thermal stability, thermal and electrical conductivity, etc. Despite substantial progress in these areas, summary and discussion of state-of-the-art functionalities and underlying mechanisms of ILs are still inadequate. In this review, a comprehensive introduction of various fillers modified by ILs precedes a systematic summary of the multifunctional applications of ILs in polymeric materials, emphasizing the effect on vulcanization, thermal stability, electrical and thermal conductivity, selective permeability, electromagnetic shielding, piezoresistive sensitivity and electrochemical activity. Overall, this review in this area is intended to provide a fundamental understanding of ILs within a polymer context based on advantages and disadvantages, to help researchers expand ideas on the promising applications of ILs in polymer fabrication with enormous potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wei
- Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics (Ministry of Education), School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics (Ministry of Education), School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Ziwen Cui
- Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics (Ministry of Education), School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Yingjun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics (Ministry of Education), School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Aihua Du
- Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics (Ministry of Education), School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
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Sowińska-Baranowska A, Maciejewska M. Potential Utilization of Ground Eggshells as a Biofiller for Natural Rubber Biocomposites. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2988. [PMID: 37109824 PMCID: PMC10143961 DOI: 10.3390/ma16082988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was application of ground eggshells in various amounts by weight as a biofiller for natural rubber (NR) biocomposites. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), ionic liquids (ILs), i.e., 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BmiCl) and 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (DmiBr), and silanes, i.e., (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES) and bis [3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (TESPTS), were used to increase the activity of ground eggshells in the elastomer matrix and to ameliorate the cure characteristics and properties of NR biocomposites. The influence of ground eggshells, CTAB, ILs, and silanes on the crosslink density, mechanical properties, and thermal stability of NR vulcanizates and their resistance to prolonged thermo-oxidation were explored. The amount of eggshells affected the curing characteristics and crosslink density of the rubber composites and therefore their tensile properties. Vulcanizates filled with eggshells demonstrated higher crosslink density than the unfilled sample by approximately 30%, whereas CTAB and ILs increased the crosslink density by 40-60% compared to the benchmark. Owing to the enhanced crosslink density and uniform dispersion of ground eggshells, vulcanizates containing CTAB and ILs exhibited tensile strength improved by approximately 20% compared to those without these additives. Moreover, the hardness of these vulcanizates was increased by 35-42%. Application of both the biofiller and the tested additives did not significantly affect the thermal stability of cured NR compared to the unfilled benchmark. Most importantly, the eggshell-filled vulcanizates showed improved resistance to thermo-oxidative aging compared to the unfilled NR.
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