Polymers

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25 pages, 4692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Effectiveness of Multi-Component Waste Plastic Bags on Bitumen Properties: Physical, Rheological, and Aging

by Nioushasadat Haji Seyed Javadi, Soheil Heydari and Ailar Hajimohammadi

Polymers 2024, 16(12), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16121669 - 12 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1102

Abstract

This study examines the applicability of an unknown composition waste plastic bag sample as bitumen modifier. The waste components were initially characterized to identify the type of plastics and the level of impurity. Asphalt binder performance was examined for rutting, thermal, and age [...] Read more.

This study examines the applicability of an unknown composition waste plastic bag sample as bitumen modifier. The waste components were initially characterized to identify the type of plastics and the level of impurity. Asphalt binder performance was examined for rutting, thermal, and age resistance. The results revealed that the waste plastic bags, predominantly consisted of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and contained 6.1% impurities. The binder tests indicated that the waste plastic bags enhanced the rutting resistance of bitumen by one grade, with its modification more similar to LLDPE, rather than LDPE. The thermal degradation and aging properties of the modified binders demonstrated that the bitumen modified by the waste plastic bags exhibited slightly lower resistance to temperature and aging compared to virgin LDPE and LLDPE. This was attributed to the impurities contained in the waste plastic. In conclusion, the analyzed waste plastic bags proved to be suitable for use in binder modification, presenting a viable alternative to virgin LLDPE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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11 pages, 3307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Open-Cell Spray Polyurethane Foams Based on Biopolyols from Fruit Seed Oils

by Maria Kurańska, Elżbieta Malewska, Hubert Ożóg, Julia Sędzimir, Aleksandra Put, Natalia Kowalik, Sławomir Michałowski, Marcin Zemła, Michał Kucała and Aleksander Prociak

Polymers 2024, 16(8), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16081145 - 19 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1292

Abstract

Natural oils from watermelon, cherry, black currant, grape and pomegranate fruit seeds were applied in the synthesis of biopolyols using the transesterification reaction. In this manuscript, the preparation possibility of open-cell foams from a polyurethane system in which petrochemical polyol was fully replaced [...] Read more.

Natural oils from watermelon, cherry, black currant, grape and pomegranate fruit seeds were applied in the synthesis of biopolyols using the transesterification reaction. In this manuscript, the preparation possibility of open-cell foams from a polyurethane system in which petrochemical polyol was fully replaced with biopolyols is analyzed. Firstly, polyurethane foam systems were developed on a laboratory scale, and they were next tested under industrial conditions. It was shown that the foaming method has a significant impact on the foaming process and the cell structure of obtained foams as well as their thermal insulation properties. Based on the conducted research, it was found that the method of processing the polyurethane system has a significant impact on the properties of open-cell spray foams. Foams produced under industrial conditions have a much higher cell density, which has a positive effect on their selected physical–mechanical properties compared to foams produced on a laboratory scale. The open-cell biofoams obtained using a high-pressure machine had apparent densities 12–17 kg/m³, thermal conductivity coefficients 35–37 mW/m·K, closed-cell contents < 10% and were dimensionally stable at low and high temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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23 pages, 4579 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Approach of Complexing Polymers Used for the Removal of Cu²⁺ Ions

by Nicoleta Mirela Marin

Polymers 2024, 16(7), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070920 - 27 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1025

Abstract

This study presents two modified polymers for Cu²⁺ ion removal from aqueous media. Shredded maize stalk (MC) and a strong-base anionic resin (SAX) were modified with indigo carmine (IC) in order to obtain two different complexing polymers, i.e., IC-MC and SAX-IC. Initially, [...] Read more.

This study presents two modified polymers for Cu²⁺ ion removal from aqueous media. Shredded maize stalk (MC) and a strong-base anionic resin (SAX) were modified with indigo carmine (IC) in order to obtain two different complexing polymers, i.e., IC-MC and SAX-IC. Initially, the complex reaction between IC and Cu²⁺ in the solution was studied. Additionally, the complex formation Cu²⁺-IC in liquid solutions was evaluated at different pH ranges of 1.5, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0, respectively. For Cu²⁺ ions, adsorption onto the IC-MC and IC-SAX batch experiments were conducted. The contact time for evaluating the optimum adsorption for Cu²⁺ ions on the complexing materials was established at 1 h. Efficient Cu²⁺ ion adsorption on the IC-MC and SAX-IC at pH = 10 was achieved. The adsorption of Cu²⁺ ions depends on the quantity of IC retained on MC and SAX. At 2.63 mg IC/g MC(S4) and 22 mg IC/g SAX(SR2), a high amount of Cu²⁺ ion adsorption was reported. The highest adsorption capacity (Q_e) of IC-MC was obtained at 0.73 mg/g, and for IC-SAX, it was attained at 10.8 mg/g. Reusability experiments were performed using the HCl (0.5 M) solution. High regeneration and reusability studies of IC-MC and IC-SAX were confirmed, suggesting that they can be used many times to remove Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous matrices. Therefore, the development of complexing materials could be suitable for Cu²⁺ ion removal from wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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14 pages, 3564 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Treatment of Monochlorobenzene from Polymers Process through Electrochemical Oxidation

by Baiqi Wang, Yanmin Yue, Siyi Wang, Yu Fu, Chengri Yin, Mingji Jin and Yue Quan

Polymers 2024, 16(3), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16030340 - 26 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1172

Abstract

With the rapid development of the economy and the demands of people’s lives, the usage amount of polymer materials is significantly increasing globally. Chlorobenzenes (CB_S) are widely used in the industrial, agriculture and chemical industries, particularly as important chemical raw materials [...] Read more.

With the rapid development of the economy and the demands of people’s lives, the usage amount of polymer materials is significantly increasing globally. Chlorobenzenes (CB_S) are widely used in the industrial, agriculture and chemical industries, particularly as important chemical raw materials during polymers processes. CB_S are difficult to remove due to their properties, such as being hydrophobic, volatile and persistent and biotoxic, and they have caused great harm to the ecological environment and human health. Electrochemical oxidation technology for the treatment of refractory pollutants has been widely used due to its high efficiency and easiness of operation. Thus, the electrochemical oxidation system was established for the efficient treatment of monochlorobenzene (MCB) waste gas. The effect of a single factor, such as anode materials, cathode materials, the electrolyte concentration, current density and electrode distance on the removal efficiency (RE) of MCB gas were first studied. The response-surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the relationships between different factors’ conditions (current density, electrolyte concentration, electrode distance), and a prediction model was established using the Design-Expert 10.0.1 software to optimize the reaction conditions. The results of the one-factor experiments showed that when treating 2.90 g/m³ MCB gas with a 0.40 L/min flow rate, Ti/Ti₄O₇ as an anode, stainless steel wire mesh as a cathode, 0.15 mol/L NaCl electrolyte, 10.0 mA/cm² current density and 4.0 cm electrode distance, the average removal efficiency (RE), efficiency capacity (EC) and energy consumption (Esp) were 57.99%, 20.18 g/(m³·h) and 190.2 (kW·h)/kg, respectively. The results of the RSM showed that the effects of the process parameters on the RE of MBC were as follows: current density > electrode distance > electrolyte concentration; the interactions effects on the RE of MBC were in the order of electrolyte concentration and current density > current density and electrode distance > electrolyte concentration and electrode distance; the optimal experimental conditions were as follows: the concentration of electrolyte was 0.149 mol/L, current density was 18.11 mA, electrode distance was 3.804 cm. Under these conditions, the RE achieved 66.43%. The response-surface variance analysis showed that the regression model reached a significant level, and the validation results were in agreement with the predicted results, which proved the feasibility of the model. The model can be applied to treat the CB_S waste gas of polymer processes through electrochemical oxidation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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11 pages, 3099 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioelectrochemical Purification of Biomass Polymer Derived Furfural Wastewater and Its Electric Energy Recovery

by Hailing Tian, Yue Quan, Zhenhao Yin, Chengri Yin and Yu Fu

Polymers 2023, 15(16), 3422; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15163422 - 16 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1381

Abstract

With the increasing environmental pollution caused by waste polymers, the conversion of polymer components in biomass into valuable products is of great significance for waste management and resource recovery. A two-stage microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used to treat furfural wastewater in this [...] Read more.

With the increasing environmental pollution caused by waste polymers, the conversion of polymer components in biomass into valuable products is of great significance for waste management and resource recovery. A two-stage microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used to treat furfural wastewater in this study. The maximum output voltage was 240–250 mV and the power generation time in an operation cycle was 286 h. The degradation efficiency of furfural reached 99–100% (furfural concentration at 300–3000 mg/L) and was slightly reduced to 91% at 7000 mg/L. In addition, the BOD/COD ratio of the furfural wastewater increased from 0.31 to 0.48 after MFC processing. The molecular analysis of the anodic bacterial isolates indicated that the phylogenetic bacterial mixture was dominated by five active anaerobic bacteria with a similarity percentage above 99% for each strain: Burkholderia (B. burdella), Clostridium sensu stricto (Cymbidaceae), Klebsiella (Klebsiella), Ethanoligenens (anaerobic genus), and Acidocella (anaerobic genus); the mixture exhibited good properties to carry out bioelectricity generation in the microbial fuel cell. This indicates that the MFC has effectively degraded furfural for pollutant removal and power generation and is a promising clean method to treat furfural pollution in industry wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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18 pages, 4466 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of PbO₂/PVDF/CC Composite and Employment for the Removal of Methyl Orange

by Laizhou Song, Cuicui Liu, Lifen Liang, Yalong Ma, Xiuli Wang, Jizhong Ma, Zeya Li and Shuqin Yang

Polymers 2023, 15(6), 1462; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15061462 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1753

Abstract

The in situ electrochemical oxidation process has received considerable attention for the removal of dye molecules and ammonium from textile dyeing and finishing wastewater. Nevertheless, the cost and durability of the catalytic anode have seriously limited industrial applications of this technique. In this [...] Read more.

The in situ electrochemical oxidation process has received considerable attention for the removal of dye molecules and ammonium from textile dyeing and finishing wastewater. Nevertheless, the cost and durability of the catalytic anode have seriously limited industrial applications of this technique. In this work, the lab-based waste polyvinylidene fluoride membrane was employed to fabricate a novel lead dioxide/polyvinylidene fluoride/carbon cloth composite (PbO₂/PVDF/CC) via integrated surface coating and electrodeposition processes. The influences of operating parameters (pH, Cl⁻ concentration, current density, and initial concentration of pollutant) on the oxidation efficiency of PbO₂/PVDF/CC were evaluated. Under optimal conditions, this composite achieves a 100% decolorization of methyl orange (MO), 99.48% removal of ammonium, and 94.46% conversion for ammonium-based nitrogen to N₂, as well as an 82.55% removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD). At the coexistent condition of ammonium and MO, MO decolorization, ammonium, and COD removals still remain around 100%, 99.43%, and 77.33%, respectively. It can be assigned to the synergistic oxidation effect of hydroxyl radical and chloride species for MO and the chlorine oxidation action for ammonium. Based on the determination of various intermediates, MO is finally mineralized to CO₂ and H₂O, and ammonium is mainly converted to N₂. The PbO₂/PVDF/CC composite exhibits excellent stability and safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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Review

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23 pages, 1466 KiB

Open AccessReview

Synthetic Degradable Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer and Its Blends with Starch and Cellulose—A Comprehensive Overview

by Abdallah S. Elgharbawy, Abdel-Ghaffar M. El Demerdash, Wagih A. Sadik, Mosaad A. Kasaby, Ahmed H. Lotfy and Ahmed I. Osman

Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101356 - 10 May 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2422

Abstract

Approximately 50% of global plastic wastes are produced from plastic packaging, a substantial amount of which is disposed of within a few minutes of its use. Although many plastic types are designed for single use, they are not always disposable. It is now [...] Read more.

Approximately 50% of global plastic wastes are produced from plastic packaging, a substantial amount of which is disposed of within a few minutes of its use. Although many plastic types are designed for single use, they are not always disposable. It is now widely acknowledged that the production and disposal of plastics have led to a plethora of negative consequences, including the contamination of both groundwater and soil resources and the deterioration of human health. The undeniable impact of excessive plastic manufacturing and waste generation on the global plastic pollution crisis has been well documented. Therefore, degradable polymers are a crucial solution to the problem of the non-degradation of plastic wastes. The disadvantage of degradable polymers is their high cost, so blending them with natural polymers will reduce the cost of final products and maximize their degradation rate, making degradable polymers competitive with industrial polymers that are currently in use daily. In this work, we will delineate various degradable polymers, including polycaprolactone, starch, and cellulose. Furthermore, we will elucidate several aspects of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and its blends with natural polymers to show the effects of adding natural polymers on PVA properties. This paper will study cost-effective and ecologically acceptable polymers by combining inexpensive natural polymers with readily accessible biodegradable polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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22 pages, 3370 KiB

Open AccessReview

Overview of Solar Steam Devices from Materials and Structures

by Chang Liu, Zhenhao Yin, Yue Hou, Chengri Yin and Zhenxing Yin

Polymers 2023, 15(12), 2742; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15122742 - 19 Jun 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3250

Abstract

The global shortage of freshwater supply has become an imminent problem. The high energy consumption of traditional desalination technology cannot meet the demand for sustainable energy development. Therefore, exploring new energy sources to obtain pure water has become one of the effective ways [...] Read more.

The global shortage of freshwater supply has become an imminent problem. The high energy consumption of traditional desalination technology cannot meet the demand for sustainable energy development. Therefore, exploring new energy sources to obtain pure water has become one of the effective ways to solve the freshwater resource crisis. In recent years, solar steam technology which utilizes solar energy as the sole input source for photothermal conversion has shown to be sustainable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly, providing a viable low-carbon solution for freshwater supply. This review summarizes the latest developments in solar steam generators. The working principle of steam technology and the types of heating systems are described. The photothermal conversion mechanisms of different materials are illustrated. Emphasis is placed on describing strategies to optimize light absorption and improve steam efficiency from material properties to structural design. Finally, challenges in the development of solar steam devices are pointed out, aiming to provide new ideas for the development of solar steam devices and alleviate the shortage of freshwater resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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23 pages, 5051 KiB

Open AccessReview

Valorization of Biomass-Derived Polymers to Functional Biochar Materials for Supercapacitor Applications via Pyrolysis: Advances and Perspectives

by Caiyun Yang, Hao Wu, Mengyu Cai, Yuting Zhou, Chunyu Guo, Ying Han and Lu Zhang

Polymers 2023, 15(12), 2741; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15122741 - 19 Jun 2023

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 3080

Abstract

Polymers from biomass waste including plant/forest waste, biological industrial process waste, municipal solid waste, algae, and livestock are potential sources for renewable and sustainable resources. Converting biomass-derived polymers to functional biochar materials via pyrolysis is a mature and promising approach as these products [...] Read more.

Polymers from biomass waste including plant/forest waste, biological industrial process waste, municipal solid waste, algae, and livestock are potential sources for renewable and sustainable resources. Converting biomass-derived polymers to functional biochar materials via pyrolysis is a mature and promising approach as these products can be widely utilized in many areas such as carbon sequestration, power production, environmental remediation, and energy storage. With abundant sources, low cost, and special features, the biochar derived from biological polymeric substances exhibits great potential to be an alternative electrode material of high-performance supercapacitors. To extend this scope of application, synthesis of high-quality biochar will be a key issue. This work systematically reviews the char formation mechanisms and technologies from polymeric substances in biomass waste and introduces energy storage mechanisms of supercapacitors to provide overall insight into the biological polymer-based char material for electrochemical energy storage. Aiming to enhance the capacitance of biochar-derived supercapacitor, recent progress in biochar modification approaches including surface activation, doping, and recombination is also summarized. This review can provide guidance for valorizing biomass waste to functional biochar materials for supercapacitor to meet future needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Environmentally Friendly Polymeric Materials and Their Applications)

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