Manufacture and Biodegradation of Wheat Gluten/Basalt Composite Material

Wheat gluten is a naturally occurring protein polymer. It is biodegradable and very inexpensive (less than $1.00/kg). Nonfood applications of wheat gluten have been explored to develop biodegradable polymers from renewable resources. In this work, gluten was reinforced with unidirectional basalt fibers in a compression molding operation. Biodegradation behavior of wheat gluten/basalt composites was examined by putting specimens into soil of prescribed moisture content. Specimens were removed at various time intervals and tested for mass loss and change in mechanical properties. Both mass and mechanical properties show a steady decline over a soil exposure time of 40 days. However, the basalt composite retained mechanical properties longer. At the same time, the bacterial count on the specimen surfaces increased exponentially. Field emission scanning electron microscope images show smooth fracture surfaces, indicating brittle failure of the wheat gluten. However, there are many small holes in the protein matrix with diameter of order 100 nm. These small inclusions may contribute to the brittleness through stress concentration.     

Physicochemical Properties of Composite Materials Based on Thermoplastic Yam Starch and Polylactic Acid Improved with the Addition of Epoxidized Sesame Oil

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - Biodegradable materials provide a primary function in preserving and protecting food products, helping to extend shelf life. The present work aims to...     

Biodegradation of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes from Vegetable Oils

Thermoplastic urethanes based on polyricinoleic acid soft segments and MDI/BD hard segments with varied soft segment concentration were prepared. Soft segment concentration was varied from, 40 to 70 wt%. Biodegradation was studied by respirometry. Segmented polyurethanes with soft segments based on polyricinoleic acid degrade relatively slow losing about 11% carbon after 30 days, but faster than corresponding petrochemical polyesterurethanes. Since biodegradation proceeds mainly through the soft segments, higher soft segment content polymers displayed slightly higher biodegradation. Polyurethanes with dispersed hard domains in the soft phase displayed slightly faster biodegradation than those with co-continuous morphology. Polyester diol degrades slower than castor oil but significantly faster than the polyurethanes with built in soft segments from the same diol. Castor oil biodegrades slower than soybean oil.     

Eco-Compatible Use of Olive Husk as Filler in Thermoplastic Composites

A study on the possibility of recycling waste materials, such as olive husk, the solid phase derived from an olive oil mill, in blend with thermoplastic polymers to produce new materials for manufacturer of, for example, containers and formworks, has been carried out. The present paper describes the methodology used for the preparation and the characterization of composite samples prepared by mixing various percentages of olive husk and polypropylene. A screening on the chemical-physical characteristics of the olive husk is reported, as well as a set of tests applied to evaluate the mechanical properties of the manufactured products obtained.     

Preliminary Study of Non-woven Composite: Effect of Needle Punching and Kenaf Fiber Loadings on Non-woven Thermoplastic Composites Prepared From Kenaf and Polypropylene Fiber

Non-woven composites were produced using kenaf (bast) fiber and polypropylene (PP) fiber. The effects of needle punching process, number of needle and kenaf fiber loadings on the properties of non-woven composite were studied. The aspect ratio of kenaf fiber was also measured in this study. The aspect ratio of most of kenaf fiber used was in the range of 200–400. The results indicated that the mechanical strength of the non-woven composite was significantly influenced by the percentage of kenaf fiber. This may due to the evenly mixed kenaf and PP fibers during carding process prior to the mechanical interlocking by needle punching process. The tensile strength, modulus and toughness were enhanced with the incorporation of carded and needle punched fibers. The number of needle used in needle punching process had a significant effect on the strength of the composite. This was evident in SEM micrograph where composite prepared from carded to needle punched non-woven web showed better wettability as compared to composite prepared from carded non-woven web only. However, no significant difference was observed in water absorption and thickness swelling tests for composites prepared with different number of needles.     

Antibacterial and Drug Elution Performance of Thermoplastic Blends

Food preservatives or drug compounds can be eluted from polymer substrates to prevent the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections and food spoilage. We investigated the antimicrobial and drug-elution properties of the albumin and zein thermoplastic blends plasticized with glycerol and mixed with varying amounts of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), food preservatives (sodium benzoate or sodium nitrite), and drugs (ampicillin or ciprofloxacin). Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were utilized as Gram (+) and Gram (?) species, respectively, for antimicrobial and drug-elution analyses, since these species are common in the human body and in food environments. The amount of contamination occurring in food and medical applications could be limited with usage of plastic blends made from thermomechanical molding of proteins (albumin from hen egg white and zein from corn), drug eluting compounds, and low-density polyethylene.     

Characterization of Extruded Thermoplastic Starch Reinforced by Montmorillonite Nanoclay

The purpose of this study was to understand how the montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay influences physical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS), which was produced by a conventional extrusion procedure. MMT nanoclay was added at 0, 4, and 8 % (w/w) concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed most MMT platelets existed in tactoid structure in the starch matrix. In addition, FTIR spectra indicated TPS/MMT nanocomposites kept chemically stable after the extrusion. Tensile strength (TS) was about 7.0 MPa, while elongation-at-break (E) and elastic modulus (EM) were about 52 % and 32–41 MPa, respectively. Moisture sorption behaviour of the samples was well described by GAB and BET models. Thermal property tests exhibited the glass transition temperature (T _g ) of the nanocomposites decreased with increasing MMT from 0 to 8 %, indicating MMT nanoclay had a plasticization effect.     

Acetylation of Castor Meal and Castor Proteins for Thermoplastic Applications

Castor meal and proteins extracted from the castor meal have been acetylated and made into thermoplastics. Castor meal is generated as the byproduct after extraction of oil from the seeds and hence available in large volumes at low cost. The meal is also non-thermoplastic making it difficult to use for industrial applications. In this research, castor meal (CM) and castor proteins (CP) extracted from the castor meal were acetylated under alkaline conditions in order to make them thermoplastic. The acetylated products were characterized using FT-IR, P-GC-MS and DSC. The effects of various acetylation conditions on % acetyl content were studied. The highest % acetyl content obtained in the case of CM was 11.63% for a material to anhydride ratio of 1:5 at 130?°C and for CP a higher acetylation of 23.60% was obtained using a ratio of 1:5 at 120?°C. It was found that that acetylated CP could be compression molded into films.     

A New Approach of BioCO2 Fixation by Thermoplastic Processing of Microalgae

Effective sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by algae reduces greenhouse gases effect on global warming. Algae biomass or residual such as biomeal from algae biofuel processing can be judiciously used for industrial applications such as fertilizer, animal feed, and plastics. Conversion of algae into useful plastic materials can be accomplished by extrusion technology. During algal plastic manufacturing, up to 20% thermoplastic algal blends can be fixated into or encapsulated by a non-biodegradable polymer such as polyolefin, which is known to be resistant to abiotic or biotic degradation. As a result, CO₂ that is captured by algae through photosynthesis is permanently stored in a form of biomass and will not be released back into the atmosphere. The extrusion of microalgae reported in this article is a novel process to sequester CO₂ and at the same time it makes a good use of the algae biomass in plastic manufacturing. Mechanical properties of the thin plastic films containing microalgae are comparable to the neat polyurethane or polyethylene films. Injection molded articles containing microalgae are dimensionally stable. However, a lower tensile strength, especially elongation at break, is observed in comparison to the neat polypropylene.     

Mechanical Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) Filled Engineering Thermoplastic Composites

In this study, engineering thermoplastic composites were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-filled nylon 6. MCC were added to nylon 6 using melt mixing to produce compounded pellets. The MCC-filled nylon 6 composites with varying concentrations of MCC (from 2.5 to 30 wt%) were prepared by injection molding. The tensile and flexural properties of the nylon 6 composites were increased significantly with the addition of MCC. The maximum strength and modulus of elasticity for the nylon 6 composites were achieved at a MCC weight fraction of 20 %. The Izod impact strength of composites decreased with the incorporation of MCC without any surface treatments and coupling agent. This observation is quite expected for filled polymer systems and has been commonly observed. There was a strong correlation between density and tensile (r = 0.94) and flexural modulus of elasticity (r = 0.9). MCC filled composites manufactured by injection method had highly uniform density distribution through their thickness. The higher mechanical results with lower density demonstrate that MCC can be used as a sufficient reinforcing material for low cost, eco-friendly composites in the automotive industry especially for under-the-hood applications (engine covers, intake manifolds and radiator end tanks) as well as in other applications such as the building and construction industries, packaging, consumer products etc.     

回收PTA废料生产增塑剂

介绍了扬子石化公司ＰＴＡ生产过程中所排各种废料的分离提纯及回收利用，对难以回收的氧化残渣的分离回收和利用作了重点论述。提供了用所回收的ＴＡ和混合苯二甲本乡生产剂的工艺流程和工艺参数。     

Preparation and Characterization of Compatible and Degradable Thermoplastic Starch/Polyethylene Film

The degradability of the compatible thermoplastic starch/polyethylene film was investigated by weight loss percent (WLP), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The compatible film was prepared by using the particles of thermoplastic starch/polyethylene blends that were produced by one-step reactive extrusion. The weight of the film after degradation reduced more than 3% for 30 days and 4% for 60 days. The FTIR results revealed that both starch and polyethylene in the film exhibited varying degrees of degradation. SEM photographs of the films after degradation showed that starch particles in the film disintegrated into smaller particles or separated out of the film surface. Degradation studies demonstrated that the compatible thermoplastic starch/polyethylene film had increased degradability at the given degradable environment. The information implies that this film could be utilized as a degradable plastic.     

废旧胶粉的制作及利用现状

简要介绍废旧胶粉的制造方法,以及胶粉在实际生产、生活当中的应用现状。提高废旧胶粉的再利用技术,拓展其应用领域,是节约资源、保护环境,促进国民经济增长方式转变和可持续发展的重要措施。     

联碱废液的资源化

采用联碱生产过程中的废液与水玻璃反应制取工业白炭黑，并将回收的氨返回生产过程。研究了工艺条件对产品质量的影响，分析了反应原理，此项研究对联碱生产过程中环境污染治理、变废为宝是一种有益的探讨。     

混凝-催化氧化法预处理氨基C酸生产废水

采用混凝-催化氧化组合工艺预处理氨基C酸生产废水,考察了混凝剂加入量、废水pH、氧化剂加入量、反应时间和催化剂的重复使用次数等因素对废水处理效果的影响。混凝-催化氧化法预处理氨基C酸生产废水的最佳工艺条件为：质量分数为10％的FeSO4溶液作混凝剂,加入量为250InL／L;质量分数为1％的ClO2溶液作氧化剂,加入量为75mL／L;Ni／AC作催化剂,加入量为40g/L;废水pH为3．2;催化氧化反应时间为60min。在该条件下,废水的COD去除率可达78．4％,BOD,／COD由原来的0．076提高到0．292,可生化性得到明显改善。Ni／AC催化剂连续使用7次后仍保持稳定的催化活性。经济性初步分析表明,1t废水的处理成本约为16元。     

利用废泡沫塑料制备防水涂料

介绍了利用废聚苯乙烯泡沫塑料制备水乳型防水涂料的工艺流程、配方及其性能测试方法。     

Manufacture of artificial aggregate using MSWI bottom ash

This paper reports the results of an investigation on material recovery by stabilization/solidification of bottom ash coming from a municipal solid waste incineration plant. Stabilization/solidification was carried out to produce artificial aggregate in a rotary plate granulator by adding hydraulic binders based on cement, lime and coal fly ash. Different mixes were tested in which the bottom ash content ranged between 60% and 90%. To avoid undesirable swelling in hardened products, the ash was previously milled and then granulated at room temperature. The granules were tested to assess their suitability to be used as artificial aggregate through the measurement of the following properties: density, water absorption capacity, compressive strength and heavy metals release upon leaching. It was demonstrated that the granules can be classified as lightweight aggregate with mechanical strength strongly dependent on the type of binder. Concrete mixes were prepared with the granulated artificial aggregate and tested for in-service performance, proving to be suitable for the manufacture of standard concrete blocks in all the cases investigated.