Acrylate and Methacrylate Polymers’ Applications: Second Life with Inexpensive and Sustainable Recycling Approaches

Abstract

Polymers are widely employed in several fields thanks to their wide versatility and the easy derivatization routes. However, a wide range of commercial polymers suffer from limited use on a large scale due to their inert nature. Nowadays, acrylate and methacrylate polymers, which are respectively derivatives of acrylic or methacrylic acid, are among the most proposed materials for their useful characteristics like good biocompatibility, capping ability toward metal clusters, low price, potentially recyclability and reusability. Here, we discuss the advantages and challenges of this class of smart polymers focusing our attention on their current technological applications in medical, electronic, food packaging and environmental remediation fields. Furthermore, we deal with the main issue of their recyclability, considering that the current commercial bioplastics are not yet able to meet the global needs as much as to totally replace fossil-fuel-based products. Finally, the most accredited strategies to reach recyclable composites based on acrylic polymers are described.

Colloidal Aqueous Dispersions of Methyl (meth)Acrylate-Grafted Polyvinyl Alcohol Designed for Thin Film Applications

“…This means that the grafting density has a weak impact on the films' optical properties and thickness. However, it should be noted that the n-values of 1.34 and 1.35 of the copolymer films are lower compared to the refractive indices of PMA and PVA that both have n-values of 1.48 at a wavelength of 600 nm [29,30]. Considering that the films' density is related to the refractive index, we could conclude that the copolymer films have a lower density as compared to PVA and PMA.…”

“…PMA is known to be a soft, tough, and rubbery material at room temperature (Tg of about 10 °C), whereas PMMA with a glass transition at approx. 105 °C is a strong, hard, and clear plastic material [29]. Obviously, The observed inconsistency in the results from grafting MA and MMA onto PVA in the aqueous media can be explained, bearing in mind the distinctive differences in the properties of PMA and PMMA themselves.…”

“…PMA is known to be a soft, tough, and rubbery material at room temperature (T g of about 10 • C), whereas PMMA with a glass transition at approx. 105 • C is a strong, hard, and clear plastic material [29]. Obviously, the reaction conditions used (more specifically the lower polymerization temperature) favor the homogeneous MA grafting and preparation of uniform colloidal dispersions, whereas smooth MMA grafting is probably complicated resulting in the coarse dispersion of the aggregated particles.…”

Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer (Type B)-Diltiazem Interactions in Solid Dispersions and Microsponge Drug-Delivery Systems

“…Acrylate and methacrylate polymers are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as matrix- or film-forming materials [ 1 , 2 ]. The development of solid amorphous drug–polymer dispersions is the most common goal when subjecting them to the various techniques of molding/casting, hot-melt extrusion, 3D printing, solvent evaporation, granulation, precipitation, etc.…”

Fine‐Tuning the Endcap Chemistry of Acrylated Poly(Ethylene Glycol)‐Based Hydrogels for Efficient Burn Wound Exudate Management

“…For biomedical applications, methacrylate and acrylate functionalities are commonly used. [23,29,30] Therefore, the current research (Figure 1) focuses on the development of novel hydrogel-based wound dressings combining mechanical strength with high exudate absorption capacities using acrylate-endcapped urethane-based precursors (AUPs). AUPs have demonstrated strong potential in the biomedical field in previous research.…”