Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ming Yan Tan, Leonard Goh, Dorsasadat Safanama, Wei Wei Loh, Ning Ding, Sheau Wei Chien, Shermin S. Goh, Warintorn Thitsartarn, Jason Y. C. Lim, Derrick W. H. Fam
Summary: Lithium-ion batteries are crucial for energy storage in our modern electrified world, and polymer electrolyte materials have the potential to revolutionize battery design by addressing safety concerns with current liquid electrolytes. This study demonstrates the use of waste PET bottles to create polymer electrolytes, which show promising performance in lithium-ion batteries. This opens up possibilities for sustainable electrolyte materials from waste plastics and contributes to a circular materials economy.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ashish Bohre, Prashant Ram Jadhao, Komal Tripathi, Kamal Kishore Pant, Blaz Likozar, Basudeb Saha
Summary: Chemical recycling is a commonly used method to transform post-consumer PET into building block chemicals, reducing plastic waste in landfills. Recent advancements in material science and catalysis have led to innovative strategies for PET depolymerization under mild reaction conditions. Heterogeneous catalysts have shown great potential for converting waste PET into monomers and value-added chemicals.
Review
Polymer Science
Mand Kamal Askar, Yaman S. S. Al-Kamaki, Ali Hassan
Summary: Plastic waste is increasing, leading to concerns over the environment and waste disposal. Recycling plastic waste as green concrete can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and address plastic waste disposal problems. Using PET as a replacement material in concrete construction has been studied to determine its effects on mixing design and concrete behavior.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nurul Fatin Syamimi Khairul Anuar, Fahrul Huyop, Ghani Ur-Rehman, Faizuan Abdullah, Yahaya M. Normi, Mohd Khalizan Sabullah, Roswanira Abdul Wahab
Summary: Plastic and microplastic pollution is a global threat to ecosystems, with an annual production reaching up to 400 tons. Soil ecosystems, including agricultural lands, act as sinks for microplastics, but the impacts may be more far-reaching. Current methods to reduce PET waste are costly and potentially produce toxic secondary pollutants, highlighting the need for better remediation methods. Enzymatic treatments offer a promising approach, as enzymes can function under near-ambient conditions without the use of chemicals. This review focuses on PET-degrading microbial hydrolases and their contribution towards alleviating environmental microplastics, highlighting information on PET's molecular and degradation mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Mahdi Khamseh, Mahshid Maroufkhani, Sajjad Moghanlou, Alireza Lotfi, Behzad Pourabbas, Mir Karim Razavi Aghjeh
Summary: Sustainable composites based on PP, RPET, and WF were prepared using melt extrusion and drawing process. The addition of WF and oriented RPET significantly improved the tensile strength and elastic modulus of PP. The highly oriented blend showed nonterminal behavior due to physical networks and enhanced microfiber surface area for chemical interactions.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Georgy Lazorenko, Anton Kasprzhitskii, Elham H. Fini
Summary: This work explores the recycling potential of PET bottle wastes as a substitute for natural sand in GP mixtures, aiming to reduce plastic pollution and promote a circular economy. The study finds that increasing the content of plastic aggregates in GP mortars leads to a decrease in compressive and flexural strength, but replacing a certain volume of sand with plastic aggregates can improve the splitting tensile strength and workability of fresh geopolymer mixes. Additionally, the inclusion of recycled PET bottle wastes in GP mortars offers advantages in lightweight, water absorption, and thermal insulation properties, contributing to the production of sustainable construction materials with environmental and economic benefits.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Jong-Hoon Kim, So-Hye Lee, Byeong-Min Lee, Kwang-Hee Son, Ho-Yong Park
Summary: This study investigated the biodegradation effects of two insect gut symbionts on PET and found that they could degrade PET and change its surface functional groups. The results suggest that insect gut symbionts have potential applications in PET waste management.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Baotong Zhu, Quanhui Ye, Yoonjoo Seo, Na Wei
Summary: The extensive production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has led to a significant amount of plastic waste, posing potential threats to the environment and humans. This study presents a promising green chemistry alternative, enzyme biocatalysis, for the treatment and recycling of PET plastics. The researchers engineered a biocatalyst called BIND-PETase, which successfully degraded PET under various conditions. BIND-PETase demonstrated stability and reusability, and could effectively degrade PET microplastics in wastewater effluent matrix and highly crystalline postconsumer PET waste. This study provides a new approach to environmentally friendly plastic degradation and recycling.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Zihe Liu, Hongming Zhang, Shunjie Liu, Xianhong Wang
Summary: Bio-based chemical upcycling of PET using cardanol diol is a promising strategy for PET waste utilization, enabling the synthesis of polyurethane acrylate (PUA). The complete glycolysis of PET by cardanol diol can be achieved within 20 minutes under solvent-free conditions at 230 degrees C. The glycolysis products can be used for the synthesis of PUA UV-curable coatings, demonstrating good mechanical and coating properties. This strategy provides a platform for the chemical upcycling of PET using bio-based materials, expanding the potential applications of PET waste.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yunus Tasci, Ikbal Gozde Kaptanoglu, Senol Sert
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of PET waste as an adsorbent for removing radiotoxic elements Ce(III) and Sr(II) from aqueous solutions. Adsorption experiments were conducted using simple PET and modified PET (Phenol-PET) as the adsorbent. Characterization was done using Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy methods. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity for Ce(III) and Sr(II) was 1.27 mg/L and 1.92 mg/L using Phenol-PET, respectively. The adsorption processes followed the Langmuir isotherm and were defined as ion exchange according to the D-R isotherm.
JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Youcef Moulai Arbi, Noureddine Mahmoudi, Abdelkadeur Djebli
Summary: The high demand for plastic materials and the difficulty in recycling them has led to a global challenge of plastic pollution. This study explores the use of brick particles as reinforcement in polyethylene, and the results show that the addition of brick particles increases the thermal degradation temperature of the composites. However, it also leads to a significant reduction in impact resistance. The distribution of the reinforcing charge is uniform according to scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hua Zhou, Yue Ren, Zhenhua Li, Ming Xu, Ye Wang, Ruixiang Ge, Xianggui Kong, Lirong Zheng, Haohong Duan
Summary: This study investigates a nickel-cobalt phosphide electrocatalyst for electroreforming PET plastic into valuable chemicals and fuel. The process shows profitability at high current densities and the developed catalyst demonstrates excellent performance in achieving desired products.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Ruimin Qi, Davey L. Jones, Qiuyun Liu, Qin Liu, Zhen Li, Changrong Yan
Summary: The use of plastic films in agriculture is important for food production, but concerns about plastic residues accumulating in soil and entering the food chain have led to the development of biodegradable films. Research shows that slight variations in the formulations of commercial biodegradable mulch films can lead to very different persistence rates in soil, ultimately resulting in their progressive accumulation if used repeatedly.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Fei Huang, Jie Zhang, Xiaoyan Zheng, Yuchao Wu, Tengfei Fu, Said Easa, Wendi Liu, Renhui Qiu
Summary: This study investigated the use of waste PET fibers and waste granite powder as reinforcement materials in autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). The PET fibers were modified with dopamine to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the AAC matrix. The results showed that the addition of PET fibers and dopamine-modified PET fibers significantly increased the compressive and flexural strengths of the AAC blocks.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana-Maria Urian, Nicoleta-Maria Ilies, Ovidiu Nemes, Andor-Csongor Nagy
Summary: With the increase in population and development of technology, construction activities have expanded, posing challenges to the bearing capacity of foundation grounds. This study focuses on using plastic waste materials made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to improve the mechanical characteristics of soil. The results show that even at low PET addition, the mechanical properties of clay can be enhanced, which helps reduce pollution and improve soil quality.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Larissa Neves Lago, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande, Roberto Carlos da Conceicao Ribeiro, Ben-Hur Silva
Summary: This study evaluates the geological-geotechnical properties of high-grade metamorphic felsic rock for use in asphalt pavements and addresses issues of adhesiveness to the asphalt binder, showing unsatisfactory adhesion in the interaction test.
GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jose Wilson dos Santos Ferreira, John Fredy Ricardo Marroquin, Jorlandio Francisco Felix, Marcio Muniz Farias, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande
Summary: Microplastic pollution is contaminating the human food chain worldwide. The study evaluates the potential of recycled micro-PET replacing natural sand to achieve sustainable development. The findings suggest that substituting a certain percentage of sand with micro-PET can enhance the mixture's resistance to moisture damage, especially in regions with heavy rainfall.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mariana Vela Silveira, Jose Wilson dos Santos Ferreira, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of silica and polymer surface treatments on the biodegradability of sisal fibers and the mechanical behavior of sand matrix reinforced with these fibers in actual environmental conditions. The results show that silica treatment is the most effective barrier against fiber biodegradation, contributing to the durability of the composite material.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Natalia Andrea Duran Jaramillo, Jose Wilson dos Santos Ferreira, Jose Adriano Cardoso Malko, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande
Summary: The increase in discarded tires is a major concern for society. This study evaluates the mechanical behavior and feasibility of using recycled tire rubber for reinforcing clayey soil. The results show that the addition of recycled tire rubber improves the mechanical behavior of the soil, and fiber reinforcement has a superior effect on interfacial bonding.
GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Jose Wilson dos Santos Ferreira, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande, Raquel Souza Teixeira
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of height and diameter on the mechanical behavior of cement-stabilized soil. The results showed that the use of reduced dimension specimens with type III cement produced greater strength gains after 28 days of curing. The dimension was found to have a significant impact on compression and tensile strength, with reduced dimension specimens showing an average enhancement of 21.3%. Additionally, mixtures with H/D >= 2 demonstrated a strong correlation between Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity tests and Indirect Tensile Strength.
Article
Water Resources
Isabel Amado Perez, Jose Wilson dos Santos Ferreira, Jose Adriano Cardoso Malko, Maria Isabel Pais Silva, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande
Summary: This study evaluates the encapsulation technique efficiency of clayey soil contaminated with 5% and 10% of zinc chloride using lime and cement. The study finds that both encapsulating agents increase the soil strength, reduce the contaminant concentration, and enhance the mechanical behavior and the capability of zinc chloride retention.
ENGENHARIA SANITARIA E AMBIENTAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
W. A. R. Souza, C. M. Toffoli, D. V. S. Mutzenberg, M. D. T. Casagrande
Summary: Adding fiber to reinforce soil is a widely used technique in geotechnical works to improve the mechanical properties of soil. This study analyzed the variables that influence the results of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests and evaluated the relationship between soil strain and its strength alterations due to fiber. The type of fiber used was found to have the highest significance among the studied variables, and the regression analysis showed a linear tendency and strong correlation coefficient, supporting the hypothesis of immediate relation between sample strength and strain.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Diego Manchini Milani, Jose Wilson dos Santos Ferreira, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande, Avacir Casanova Andrello, Raquel Souza Teixeira
Summary: The present study assessed the effect of partially replacing construction waste with sandy soil in cemented mixtures in terms of mechanical behavior and microstructure. The results showed that mixtures with up to 50% construction waste replacing soil had similar mechanical performance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Giovanna Monique Alelvan, Jose Wilson dos Santos Ferreira, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande, Nilo Cesar Consoli
Summary: This paper proposes a new construction material based on polymer-stabilized and fiber-reinforced gold ore tailings composites, showing potential for use in various construction applications. The mechanical and microstructural analysis provided a better understanding of the material's behavior and properties.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mario Rene Rivera Osorto, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande
Summary: This study conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) for a road pavement structure using hot mixed asphalt (HMA) with recycled post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) through the dry process. The LCA compared the environmental impacts of different pavement variants under the Brazilian National Design Methodology. The results showed that the HMA + RPET mixes had better mechanical properties and lower environmental scores, indicating significant environmental savings compared to conventional mixes.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Leila Maria Coelho de Carvalho, Fernando Feitosa Monteiro, Michele Dal Toe Casagrande
Summary: The demand for developing and commercializing vegetable fiber-based materials has increased in the past 20 years to reduce environmental impact and achieve sustainability. Soil reinforcement with plant-based fibers has gained interest in geotechnical engineering, particularly in temporary earthworks, due to its low-cost, environmentally friendly nature, and excellent reproducibility and accessibility. This paper aims to evaluate the mechanical behavior of soil-fiber composites by inserting natural coir fibers into a sandy soil matrix, and the overall analysis showed that the addition of coir fibers improved the shear strength parameters and ductility of the well-graded sand.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Geological
Antonio Viana da Fonseca, Cristiana Ferreira, Beatrice Baudet, Erdin Ibraim, Michele Casagrande, Satoshi Nishimura
Summary: This article introduces the background and purpose of the Eighth International Symposium on Deformation Characteristics of Geomaterials (IS-Porto 2023) and the organizing institutions and supporting units of the symposium. In addition, it outlines the topics discussed at the symposium and introduces the main content of the papers included in this special issue.
GEOTECHNICAL TESTING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ziwei Cai, Xinzhi Duan, Lingfei Liu, Zhoudao Lu, Junhong Ye
Summary: This paper investigates the influence of shear span ratios, reinforcement ratios, and material types on the flexural and shear performance of UHPC beams. The findings show that appropriate LR and SR ratios can significantly increase the load capacity of the beams. UHPC beams made with a combination of polyethylene and steel fibers exhibit the highest load capacity.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Parham Shoaei, Abazar Momenzadeh, Hamed Hosseini, Shahin Rajaei, Farshad Ameri, Shima Pilehvar
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility of using natural zeolite as a precursor for geopolymer mortars, finding that zeolite addition reduces workability but increases porosity in the mortar structure.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Leiming Wang, Liang Cheng, Shenghua Yin, Peizheng Liu
Summary: This paper investigates the factors affecting the agglomeration of ores and proposes the optimal preparation conditions to improve the pore structure and leaching rate of heap leaching systems. The results show that well-shaped agglomerations significantly enhance the leaching efficiency of minerals, and the preparation conditions include curing time, binder concentration, inclined angle, and rolling speed.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Omer Mercimek, Yasar Erbas, Sercan Tuna Akkaya, Ozgur Anil, Mustafa Fener
Summary: This study investigates the adverse effects of openings in flat slabs through experiments and theoretical calculations, and considers the application of the superposition principle.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shuai Zhang, Henglong Zhang, Mingyu Zhou
Summary: By using various experimental methods and analysis models, this study comprehensively investigated the high temperature resistance and fatigue resistance of cold mixed epoxy asphalt mixture. The results showed that different gradation types of mixture exhibited distinct performance characteristics under different conditions, providing references for their application and design.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Liyong Zhao, Jian Wang, Pengfei Gao, Yongyu Yuan
Summary: In this study, the effects of water-cement ratio, thickness of concrete cover, and spacing and quantity of steel bars on the corrosion characteristics of steel bars were investigated through accelerated corrosion tests on reinforced concrete specimens. The results showed that these factors had varying influences on the mass loss of steel bars, the width of corrosion-induced cracks, and the corrosion depth. The corrosion depth followed a normal distribution, while the width of corrosion-induced cracks followed an exponential distribution.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Bailin Li, Fei Luo, Xiaodong Li, Jiaming Liu
Summary: This paper presents an experimental study on the role of rice husk ash (RHA) in the mechanical improvement of soil. The results show that the incorporation of RHA substantially enhances the soil's strength, stiffness, and ductility. The study findings contribute to guiding the effective application of RHA in civil engineering and promoting the sustainable development of construction materials.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yu Xiang, Jionghuang He, Guangcheng Long, Youjun Xie, Jilin Wang
Summary: This study introduces a testing apparatus to characterize the internal stress in fresh concrete during the thermal treatment and explores the impact of water-to-cement ratio and paste-to-aggregate ratio on internal stress. It elucidates the developmental patterns of internal stress in concrete throughout the thermal treatment phase.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yubo Jiao, Wenlong Du, Hua Yang, Hongjun Shi
Summary: This study investigated the reinforcing effect of glass fiber on failure behavior of asphalt concrete at low temperature using AE and DIC techniques. The results showed that AE parameters could effectively classify and characterize the failure processes. The effect of fiber length on the failure process was also studied.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yu Xia, Xiaodong Li, Tianyu Xie, Ruizhao Zhu, Guanghao Wang, Guixiang Yi, Jiawei Li
Summary: This study evaluated the seismic performance of RC bent columns designed according to different versions of Chinese codes. The results showed that the constructional requirements in the latest version of the code can effectively reduce stress concentration and damage while improving energy dissipation and maximum bearing capacity.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Tohid Yahyaee, Seyed Rahim Mofidi
Summary: This study investigates the potential of improving surface water quality through the use of porous concrete and other additives, as well as the impact of varying aggregate quantities and water-to-cement ratios on the mechanical properties of concrete. The results show that MWCNT is highly effective in removing COD and dye pollutants from surface runoff water.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Dunja Radenovic, Durda Kerkez, Dragana Tomasevic Pilipovic, Milos Dubovina, Milos Seslija, Slaven Tenodi, Igor Pesko
Summary: In recent years, sediment has been recognized as a problematic resource due to its potential harmful effects and large quantities in water bodies. This research investigates the effects of ageing and maturation of solidified/stabilized mixtures of contaminated sediment with fly ash and lime. The study shows that the use of fly ash and lime as binders promotes the permanent structural integrity of the sediment, and the treated material can be considered environmentally friendly and used as a fill material in road construction.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2024)