A Review on Melt-Spun Biodegradable Fibers

Naeimirad, Mohammadreza; Krins, Bas; Gruter, Gert-Jan M.

doi:10.3390/su151914474

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 271 publications

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“…No adverse effects like sharkskin formation, development of stick–slip discontinuity (so-called “bambooing”), or occurrence of melt fractures (“corkscrewing”), problems frequently observed in melt-spinning, ,, were observed. The smooth surface and the fact that this was achieved even without extensive optimization of conditions underline the suitability of PE-18,18 for melt-spinning (cf.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This may be related to its above-ambient glass transition temperature, which hinders accessibility of the amorphous regimes for enzymatic breakdown. − This is particularly relevant for textile applications because fibers abraded during washing of textiles are a major contributor to microplastics pollution. , Other types of synthetic fibers employed for textiles, like polyamides, polyethylene (HDPE), or polypropylene (PP), also offer no benefits over PET in terms of circularity and environmental persistence. Beyond these polymers, poly(lactide) (PLA) as a biobased polyester has also been established as a fiber material, and further, biodegradable polyesters that are most prominently applied in films and packaging plastics have been studied in the form of fibers [like poly(butylene-adipate- co -terephthalate), PBAT; poly(hydroxy-butyrate- co -valerate), PHBV; and polycaprolactone, PCL]. , However, their overall profile of processability and fiber performance, in many instances, remains unsatisfactory. Often, their rather soft or brittle nature is problematic already.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Circular Melt-Spun Textile Fibers from Polyethylene-like Long-Chain Polyesters

Wurst,

Birkle,

Scherer

et al. 2024

ACS Appl. Polym. Mater.

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As textiles contribute considerably to overall anthropogenic pollution and resource consumption, increasing their circularity is essential. We report the melt-spinning of long-chain polyesters, materials recently shown to be fully chemically recyclable under mild conditions, as well as biodegradable. High-quality uniform fibers are enabled by the polymers' favorable combination of thermal stability, crystallization ability, melt strength, and homogeneity. The polyethylene-like crystalline structure endows these fibers with mechanical strength, which is further enhanced by its orientation upon drawing (tensile strength of up to 270 MPa). In vitro depolymerization by high concentrations of Humicola insolens cutinase underlines the accessibility of the fibers for enzymatic degradation, which can proceed from the surface and through the entire fiber within days, depending on the choice of the fiber material. Fibers and knitted fabrics withstand stress, as encountered in machine washing.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circular Melt-Spun Textile Fibers from Polyethylene-like Long-Chain Polyesters

Wurst,

Birkle,

Scherer

et al. 2024

ACS Appl. Polym. Mater.

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“…Materials based on commercially available monomers, such as polyester-2.18, 2 open the door for larger-scale developments and applications. Areas of interest comprise food packaging films and textile fibers, 62 to name only two examples. Further studies among others should address, for a given long-chain polyester, upscaling and optimization with regard to the molecular weight of polymerization procedures, elaboration of melt rheologies and crystallization rates depending on polymer microstructure, the necessity of stabilization, and the optimization of processing parameters as well as key material properties for a given application.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Closed-Loop Recyclable and Nonpersistent Polyethylene-like Polyesters

Eck,

Mecking

2024

Acc. Chem. Res.

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Conspectus Aliphatic polyesters based on long-chain monomers were synthesized for the first time almost a century ago. In fact, Carothers’ seminal observations that founded the entire field of synthetic polymer fibers were made on such a polyester sample. However, as materials, they have evolved only over the past decade. This is driven by the corresponding monomers becoming practically available from advanced catalytic conversions of plant oils, and future prospects comprise a possible generation from third-generation feedstocks, such as microalgae or waste. Long-chain polyesters such as polyester-18.18 can be considered to be polyethylene chains with a low density of potential breakpoints in the chain. These do not compromise the crystalline structure or the material properties, which resemble linear high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and the materials can also be melt processed by injection molding, film or fiber extrusion, and filament deposition in additive manufacturing. At the same time, they enable closed-loop chemical recycling via solvolysis, which is also possible in mixed waste streams containing polyolefins and even poly(ethylene terephthalate). Recovered monomers possess a quality that enables the generation of recycled polyesters with properties on par with those of the virgin material. The (bio)degradability varies enormously with the constituent monomers. Polyesters based on short-chain diols and long-chain dicarboxylates fully mineralize under industrial composting conditions, despite their HDPE-like crystallinity and hydrophobicity. Fundamental studies of the morphology and thermal behavior of these polymers revealed the location of the in-chain groups and their peculiar role in structure formation during crystallization as well as during melting. All of the concepts outlined were extended to, and elaborated on further, by analogous long-chain aliphatic polymers with other in-chain groups such as carbonates and acetals. The title materials are a potential solution for much needed circular closed-loop recyclable plastics that also as a backstop if lost to the environment will not be persistent for many decades.

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“…The biodegradability of polymers is dependent on multiple different parameters, including thermal properties, polymer structure, degree of crystallinity and hydrophilicity. 28,55,56 In the previous sections, it was shown that the polymeric properties can be tailored by varying the length of the aliphatic comonomer in BHMF-based polyesters. Furthermore, the hydrophilic character of the polyester surfaces is expected to be beneficial for biodegradation.…”

Section: Biodegradationmentioning

confidence: 99%