Polyethylene (PE) contributes largely to plastic wastes that exist in aquatic environments as a consequence of its widespread use. To address its low degradability, pro-oxidant fillers are incorporated into its polymer matrix, making it oxo-biodegradable. In this study, films from transparent oxo-biodegradable polyethylene plastic bags were immersed in deionized water at 50°C for 35 days. Indicators of water quality: pH, oxidation-reduction potential, turbidity, and total dissolved solids (TDS), were monitored every 7 days. It was observed that pH initially rises and then slowly decreases with time, oxidation-reduction potential decreases below the control, and turbidity and total dissolved solids both increase steadily with time. Moreover, films of smaller thickness lead to a dramatic increase in turbidity and TDS. The results imply that degrading oxo-biodegradable PE plastic bags result to significant reduction of water quality.
Abstract. This study explores the feasibility of using lignocellulosic waste and cellulosic fibers from corn husks in the production of green composites, with orthophthalic unsaturated polyester (ortho-UP) resin as a matrix. Lignocellulose was extracted from corn husk fibers by alkali treatment using 1M NaOH, and the dried lignocellulose extract was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy. Composites containing varying weight fractions of lignocellulose, treated fibers and ortho-UP were fabricated, and the tensile and flexural strengths and moduli were measured. Based on the results, it was observed that the composite containing 15wt% fiber possesses the highest tensile modulus, while the one with 20wt% lignocellulose showed the highest flexural modulus. The composites were also subjected to scanning electron microscopy to examine the fracture surfaces of the composites. Furthermore, the water sorption behavior of the composites was also studied, and it was observed that all the composites obey Fickian diffusion.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.