scholarly journals (Bio)degradable Polymeric Materials for Sustainable Future—Part 2: Degradation Studies of P(3HB-co-4HB)/Cork Composites in Different Environments

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Jurczyk ◽  
Marta Musioł ◽  
Michał Sobota ◽  
Magdalena Klim ◽  
Anna Hercog ◽  
...  

The degree of degradation of pure poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)] and its composites with cork incubated under industrial and laboratory composting conditions was investigated. The materials were parallelly incubated in distilled water at 70 °C as a reference experiment (abiotic condition). It was demonstrated that addition of the cork into polyester strongly affects the matrix crystallinity. It influences the composite degradation independently on the degradation environment. Moreover, the addition of the cork increases the thermal stability of the obtained composites; this was related to a smaller reduction in molar mass during processing. This phenomenon also had an influence on the composite degradation process. The obtained results suggest that the addition of cork as a natural filler in various mass ratios to the composites enables products with different life expectancies to be obtained.

Author(s):  
E. Keyhani

The matrix of biological membranes consists of a lipid bilayer into which proteins or protein aggregates are intercalated. Freeze-fracture techni- ques permit these proteins, perhaps in association with lipids, to be visualized in the hydrophobic regions of the membrane. Thus, numerous intramembrane particles (IMP) have been found on the fracture faces of membranes from a wide variety of cells (1-3). A recognized property of IMP is their tendency to form aggregates in response to changes in experi- mental conditions (4,5), perhaps as a result of translational diffusion through the viscous plane of the membrane. The purpose of this communica- tion is to describe the distribution and size of IMP in the plasma membrane of yeast (Candida utilis).Yeast cells (ATCC 8205) were grown in synthetic medium (6), and then harvested after 16 hours of culture, and washed twice in distilled water. Cell pellets were suspended in growth medium supplemented with 30% glycerol and incubated for 30 minutes at 0°C, centrifuged, and prepared for freeze-fracture, as described earlier (2,3).


1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 117-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Watanabe ◽  
S. Sakai ◽  
H. Takatsuki

Examination of individual degradation paths (biodegradation and photolysis) of butyltin compounds (especially tributyltin: TBT) in natural waters was performed. Biodegradation of TBT and dibutyltin (DBT) in an unfiltered sea water in summer is rather fast; their half life is about a week. But pretreatment with glass fiber filter makes the half life of TBT much longer (about 80 days). Photolysis of TBT in sea water by sun light is rapid (half life is about 0.5 days), and faster than in distilled water or in fresh water. Degradation rates of each process for TBT are calculated in various conditions of sea water, and contribution rates are compared. Biodegradation will be the main degradation process in an “SS-rich” area such as a marina, but photolysis will exceed that in a “clean” area. Over all half lives of TBT in sea water vary from 6 days to 127 days considering seasons and presence of SS.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2133
Author(s):  
Helena Oliver-Ortega ◽  
Josep Tresserras ◽  
Fernando Julian ◽  
Manel Alcalà ◽  
Alba Bala ◽  
...  

Packaging consumes around 40% of the total plastic production. One of the most important fields with high requirements is food packaging. Food packaging products have been commonly produced with petrol polymers, but due to environmental concerns, the market is being moved to biopolymers. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is the most promising biopolymer, as it is bio-based and biodegradable, and it is well established in the market. Nonetheless, its barrier properties need to be enhanced to be competitive with other polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Nanoclays improve the barrier properties of polymeric materials if correct dispersion and exfoliation are obtained. Thus, it marks a milestone to obtain an appropriate dispersion. A predispersed methodology is proposed as a compounding process to improve the dispersion of these composites instead of common melt procedures. Afterwards, the effect of the polarity of the matrix was analyzing using polar and surface modified nanoclays with contents ranging from 2 to 8% w/w. The results showed the suitability of the predispersed and concentrated compound, technically named masterbatch, to obtain intercalated structures and the higher dispersion of polar nanoclays. Finally, the mechanical performance and sustainability of the prepared materials were simulated in a food tray, showing the best assessment of these materials and their lower fingerprint.


2007 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 1879-1884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smaranda Iliescu ◽  
Gheorghe Ilia ◽  
Aurelia Pascariu ◽  
Adriana Popa ◽  
Nicoleta Plesu

Direct, efficient, organic solvent- and catalyst-free synthesis of a series of polyphosphates was accomplished. The reaction involved a gas-liquid interfacial polycondensation between arylphosphoric dichlorides and bisphenol A. The polyphosphates were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 31P NMR, inherent viscosity, thermal analysis, and molar mass. Yields in the range 70-90 % and inherent viscosities in the range 0.30-0.40 dl/g were obtained. The thermal stability of the polyphosphates was investigated by using thermogravimetry.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Z. Kassaee ◽  
F. Buazar ◽  
E. Motamedi

Arc-fabricated copper nanoparticles (Cu Nps) size, morphology and the crystalline structure, as well as the yields of Nps appear sensitive to the applied currents (50–160 A) in distilled water. The results indicate that the sizes of Cu Nps are directly proportional to the currents employed. At 50 A, TEM, XRD, and SEM analyses show fabrication of relatively purest, the most dispersed, face-centered cubic (fcc) brown Cu Nps with rather smallest average size of 20 nm. At the same current, the TGA-DTA analysis reveals neither weight loss nor gain, indicating thermal stability of the fabricated Cu Nps.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 619-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaolin Li ◽  
Xiuhua Guo ◽  
Shengli Zhang ◽  
Jiang Feng ◽  
Kexing Song ◽  
...  

AbstractArc erosion behaviors of TiB2/Cu composites with single-scale and dual-scale TiB2 particles fabricated by powder metallurgy were studied. It was revealed that the dual-scale TiB2/Cu composites had fewer structure defects compared with the single-scale TiB2/Cu composites, and TiB2 particles with different size were uniformly distributed in the copper matrix. When the ratio of 2 μm over 50 μm TiB2 particles is 1:2, the density of TiB2/Cu composite is 98.5% and shows best mechanical and thermal properties. The arc duration and energy of TiB2/Cu composites increase with the increase of electric current in contact material testing. Compared with the single-scale TiB2/Cu composites, the arc erosion of dual-scale TiB2/Cu composite with 2 μm+50 μm (1:2) TiB2 was slighter. The anode bulge area and cathode erosion pit of dual-scale TiB2/Cu composite was smaller. The dual-scale TiB2 particles optimize the microstructure and thermal stability of the composite, which is conducive to alleviating arc erosion. The synergistic effect of different sized TiB2 particles in the matrix improved the arc erosion resistance of TiB2/Cu composite during arcing.


2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 97-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Müller ◽  
A. Winter ◽  
G. Strünkmann

The pre-treatment of sludges by disintegration will result in a number of changes in sludge properties. Floc destruction as well as cell disintegration will occur. This leads to an increase of soluble substances and fine particles. Furthermore, biochemical reactions may appear during or immediately after disintegration. The influence of disintegration of excess sludge on anaerobic digestion was studied in full scale. A stirred ball mill, an ultrasound disintegrator, a lysate centrifuge and ozone treatment were used. The results of the degradation process were compared to a reference system without pre-treatment. An enhancement of the degree of degradation of 7.4% to 20% was observed. The pollution of sludge water as well as the dewatering properties of the digested sludge were investigated. COD and ammonia in the sludge water were increased and a higher polymer demand was observed while the solid content after dewatering stayed almost unchanged. Based on these results the cost effectiveness has been assessed taking into account different conditions (size of WWTP, cost for disposal, etc.). Capital and energy costs are the main factors while the decrease in disposal costs due to the reduced amount of sludge is the main profit factor.


2013 ◽  
Vol 469 ◽  
pp. 171-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Zhang ◽  
Si Yao Sui ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Zhong Su Ma

Edible films were prepared using soy protein isolate (4g/100g), oleic acid (0-2g/100g) and stearic acid (0-2g/100g). Effects of the type and ratio of fatty acids (oleic acid and stearic acid) on the thermal properties of soybean protein isolate-based films were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of oleic acid and stearic acid take a significant effect on the thermal stability of soybean protein isolate-based films, as may attribute to that oleic acid is an amphiphilic substance that interacts with both polar and hydrophobic sites on proteins, thus it could improve the functional properties of the films. Besides, the solid state and hydrophobic nature of stearic acid could help limit water diffusion in the matrix more efficiently when it is well-integrated in the matrix through the surfactant action of oleic acid.


Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. S. C. Samarasinghe ◽  
Chong Yang Chuah ◽  
H. Enis Karahan ◽  
G. S. M. D. P. Sethunga ◽  
Tae-Hyun Bae

Membrane-based air separation (O2/N2) is of great importance owing to its energy efficiency as compared to conventional processes. Currently, dense polymeric membranes serve as the main pillar of industrial processes used for the generation of O2- and N2-enriched gas. However, conventional polymeric membranes often fail to meet the selectivity needs owing to the similarity in the effective diameters of O2 and N2 gases. Meanwhile, mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) are convenient to produce high-performance membranes while keeping the advantages of polymeric materials. Here, we propose a novel MMM for O2/N2 separation, which is composed of Matrimid® 5218 (Matrimid) as the matrix, cobalt(II) phthalocyanine microparticles (CoPCMPs) as the filler, and Pluronic® F-127 (Pluronic) as the compatibilizer. By the incorporation of CoPCMPs to Matrimid, without Pluronic, interfacial defects were formed. Pluronic-treated CoPCMPs, on the other hand, enhanced O2 permeability and O2/N2 selectivity by 64% and 34%, respectively. We explain the enhancement achieved with the increase of both O2 diffusivity and O2/N2 solubility selectivity.


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Paola Luda ◽  
Marco Zanetti

Polymers are intrinsically flammable materials; hence, fire retardance (FR) is required in their most common applications (i.e., electronic and construction, to mention some). Recently, it has been reported that cyclodextrin (CD) and cyclodextrin derivatives are beginning to be introduced into Intumescent Fire Retardant (IFR) formulations in place of pentaerythritol, which is used in IFRs that are currently on the market. Since IFRs are of less environmental concern than their hazardous halogen containing counterparts, the use of natural origin compounds in IFRs provides a way to comply with green chemistry issues. BCD and BCD derivatives presence in IFR mixtures promotes a higher yield of blowing gases and char when polymeric materials undergo combustion. Both processes play important roles in intumescence. The key rule to obtain in insulating compact char is the good dispersion of the nanoparticles in the matrix, which can be achieved by functionalizing nanoparticles with BCD derivatives. Moreover, CD derivatives are attractive because of their nanosized structure and their ability to form inclusion complexes with many compounds used as FR components, reducing their release to the environment during their shelf life of FR items. Often, fire retardance performed by BCD and BCD derivatives accompanies other relevant properties, such as improved mechanical resistance, washability resistance, self healing ability, thermal conductivity, etc. The application of CD fire retardant additives in many polymers, such as poly(lactic acid), poly(propylene), poly(vinyl acetate), poly(methyl methacrylate), linear low density poly(ethylene), polyamides, and polyesters are comprehensively reviewed here.


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