Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alan S. Martin del Campo, Jorge R. Robledo-Ortiz, Martin Arellano, Martin Rabelero, Aida A. Perez-Fonseca
Summary: This study evaluated the accelerated weathering of PLA and agave fiber biocomposites, revealing that chemical treatment of fibers can improve fiber-matrix adhesion and lead to higher tensile and flexural strength. After accelerated weathering, the biocomposites showed increased crystallinity and constant impact strength, but decreased tensile and flexural properties. Treated fibers demonstrated better resistance to weathering degradation compared to untreated fibers.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Praveenkumara Jagadeesh, Madhu Puttegowda, Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa, Suchart Siengchin
Summary: This study evaluates the accelerated weathering behavior of various composites loaded with basalt micro-filler and explores the innovative idea of incorporating basalt into polymer matrices. The results show that the addition of basalt improves the density and hardness of the composites, but reduces their mechanical properties after weathering. The surface morphology and hydrophilicity of the composites also change.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Aida A. Perez-Fonseca, Vanessa S. Herrera-Carmona, Yolanda Gonzalez-Garcia, Alan S. Martin del Campo, Martin E. Gonzalez-Lopez, Daniel E. Ramirez-Arreola, Jorge R. Robledo-Ortiz
Summary: The study found that the addition of PHB and wood particles significantly increased the crystallinity of PLA, while twin-screw extrusion and compatibilization treatment improved the tensile, flexural, and impact strength of the blends. The biodegradation rate of the biocomposites slightly decreased with the addition of PHB or wood particles.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Ratanathavorn Wittawat, Rungruang Rittipun, Boohuad Nattaporn
Summary: In this study, a blended polymer of PLA and EPDM was developed for cosmetic packaging. The compatibility between PLA and EPDM was improved using modified nanosilica. The results showed that the modified nanosilica decreased the domain sizes of EPDM within the polymer matrix, leading to an increase in tensile strength and elongation at break of the polymer.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiyu Qin, Yidi Yang, Changfu Yang, Leilihe Zhang, Haoyuan Yin, Fei Yu, Jie Ma
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of biodegradable plastic PLA and its adsorption behavior with tetracycline under weathering conditions. The results showed that weathered PLA had cracks and holes on the surface, increased oxygen-containing functional groups, and enhanced adsorption capacity. However, the surface of microplastics weathered by seawater did not change significantly.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mengfan Cai, Zhiming Qi, Christophe Guy, Chunjiang An, Xiujuan Chen, Zheng Wang, Qi Feng
Summary: Biodegradable mulches (BMs) can help mitigate disposal and environmental problems, but the addition of biodegradable macro-plastics (BMaPs) can increase the content of biodegradable microplastics (BMPs). UV irradiation weakens BMaPs and increases their roughness and hydrophilicity, promoting the adsorption of soil pollutants. Compared to paper mulch, bioplastic mulch releases fewer and smaller plastic particles but contributes more dissolved organic matter with aromatic structures and carboxylic acids to the water environment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anthony L. Andrady, Kara Lavender Law, Jessica Donohue, Bimali Koongolla
Summary: This study investigates the accelerated weathering of LDPE laminates exposed to ultraviolet radiation in air and seawater. The oxidation on weathering is diffusion-controlled and localized to a thin surface layer in both environments. The concentration profiles of oxidation products suggest that the thickness of this layer is too small to be detected in seawater weathered samples. Comparison with a naturally weathered polyethylene microplastic pellet highlights the similar depth profile. The impact of diffusion-controlled oxidation on the mechanical integrity of LDPE is also discussed, particularly in relation to the retardation of weathering degradation in seawater due to low dissolved oxygen concentrations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Tuomas Puttonen, Mika Salmi, Jouni Partanen
Summary: This study compared the mechanical properties of additive manufacturing and conventionally manufactured plastics after weathering, finding that PA12 and PA66 from additive manufacturing were significantly affected by weathering, while carbon reinforced PA12 showed the best aging resistance due to the UV varnish. Protective coatings can increase materials' weathering resistance, but also lead to an increase in the deviation of mechanical properties.
Review
Polymer Science
Zorana Kovacevic, Sandra Flincec Grgac, Sandra Bischof
Summary: The paper summarizes the results of developing high flame-retardant biocomposites and highlights the importance of nanosize flame retardants in enhancing flame retardant properties. It also points out the need for further research on optimizing flame retardant compounds and the potential for creating a new class of bionanocomposite materials with environmental benefits.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Liangjun Li, Hangbo Yue, Qiqi Wu, Juan P. Fernandez-Blazquerz, Peter S. Shuttleworth, James H. Clark, Jianwei Guo
Summary: The present study focuses on the preparation of cottonseed protein/poly(ε-caprolactone) (CP/PCL) blend films by melt blending and hot pressing. The addition of PCL in CP/PCL blends results in the formation of a co-continuous phase, leading to significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the films. Furthermore, the incorporation of a compatibilizing agent enhances the chemical interaction between the polymer phases, resulting in improved dispersion and increased physical compatibility between the protein and polymer chains.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
B. U. Kelkar, S. R. Shukla, S. M. Yadav, R. Bansal
Summary: The performance of two bamboo composites, laminated bamboo lumber (LBL) and bamboo stand lumber (BSL), coated with polyurethane surface protectants (PUS and PUW) against UV and natural weathering was evaluated. The presence of the protective coatings on the bamboo composites provided resistance against UV irradiation. However, the coated surfaces still showed tendencies of photo-yellowing after UV exposure. The performance of the PUS-coated specimens against natural weathering was better than the coated BSL, with lower color changes and surface cracking.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xikui Zhang, Joseph Kinyanjui Muiruri, Jayven Chee Chuan Yeo, Ting Ting Lin, Raveenkumar Vijayakumar, Chih-Hung Lee, Jessica Pei Wen Toh, Warintorn Thitsartarn, Zibiao Li
Summary: In this study, modified starch-based biopolymer composites were prepared to improve their properties for wider applications. By blending with various organoclays and polylactide, thermoplastic starch (TPS)/polylactide (PLA)/organoclay composites were obtained. The addition of organoclay enhanced the thermal stability and stiffness of the blends, and improved the compatibility with starch, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties of eco-friendly composite materials for sustainable packaging applications.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ahmet Can, Eylem D. Tomak, Mahmut A. Ermeydan, Onur Aykanat
Summary: This study evaluated the decay resistance of basalt and/or wood fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites. The water absorption rate increased by 52.4-67.5% for wood fiber composites compared to basalt fiber-reinforced biocomposites. PLA showed good decay resistance against all fungi attacks, but the resistance decreased as the ratio of basalt and wood fiber increased in the hybrid biocomposites. SEM and FTIR analysis confirmed the degradation and revealed the degradation mechanism.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Enio H. P. Da Silva, Silvio De Barros, Andre F. C. Vieira, Romeu R. C. Da Costa, Marcelo L. Ribeiro
Summary: The aim of this study is to evaluate the compression properties of a bio-based polyurethane foam after exposure to 90 ? for different periods of time, and propose a numerical approach to predict the compression behaviour for untested conditions. The study found that the stiffness of the foam decreased by half after 60 days, and the yield stress was also affected by thermo-oxidative degradation. The simulation of compression stress-strain curves matched well with experimental data and allowed for predictions of mechanical property changes.
Article
Polymer Science
Xunan Hou, Xuehong Lu, Chaobin He
Summary: The addition of PMMA to PLLA/PHB blends transforms the morphology of the blends by forming an interfacial nanolayer, leading to significantly increased elongation and toughness while maintaining high stiffness and strength. This generic strategy can be applied to design other mechanically robust biocomposites for advanced green devices.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)