Biodegradable thermosets polymers as an alternative solution to pollution generated by plastics

Abstract

In this research work, a description was made of thermoset polymer materials and their relationship with the environment. The traditional thermoset manufacturing processes make their recycling and reuse complicated. Consequently, most products made with this type of material end up accumulating in landfills and their disposal generates a high environmental impact. This is why a description of thermoset and biodegradable polymers is made to identify the differences between them and the advantages of biodegradable materials. This being so, it is found that the scientific community presents as a proposal or alternative solution to this environmental problem the development of new methodologies and technologies to synthesize families of thermoset biodegradable materials, as for example the case of “glycix”, “titan” and “hydro”, and that from capital investment in science and technology processes in the area of materials engineering, by the productive sector and Universities of countries such as for example; Mexico and Argentina, managed to develop on an industrial scale biodegradable resins that can be processed by all conventional plastic molding methods and significantly reduce the carbon footprint.

Current Development and Future Perspective on Natural Jute Fibers and Their Biocomposites

“…However, endeavors are made to develop bio-based thermosets from vegetable oils, natural phenolic complexes and other sources, which might possess better thermal stability compared to thermoplastic [ 52 ]. Some progress has also been made toward developing biodegradable thermoset plastics with similar characteristics as the traditional thermoset such glycix, titan and hydro [ 53 ]. Mass scale manufacturing techniques such as plastic molding of biodegradable thermosets are also being explored in order to get a sustainable thermoset, which can contribute toward reducing carbon footprint.…”

Preparation and Applications of Green Thermoplastic and Thermosetting Nanocomposites Based on Nanolignin

“…Various bio-based thermosetting resins have been considered through the manipulation of virgin renewable feedstock; therefore, research on how to properly convert residual biomass to stimulate the production of new materials with remarkable properties is of great impact. Many functionalization approaches, including chemical or physical modifications, have been taken into account to broaden the application fields of these new resins with a singular glance to their processability and recyclability [28,29]. Referring to lignin, its aromatic structure gives molecular rigidity, and providing highglass-transition temperatures and stiffness, as well the presence of aliphatic and aromatic hydroxyl functionalities, is a crucial characteristic for application where high thermal stability and high network levels are required [30].…”

High Temperature Composites From Renewable Resources: A Perspective on Current Technological Challenges for the Manufacturing of Non-Oil Based High Char Yield Matrices and Carbon Fibers

“…The use of renewable resources requires that bio-based compounds with distinct chemical characteristics should be obtained through careful transformations of plant and other non-fossil materials (Liu et al, 2021): in line with this requirement, considerable efforts have been finalized to produce bio-based polymers that could directly substitute those of fossil origin (Cywar et al, 2021;Selvaraj & Raghavarshini, 2021). On the other hand, biomass constituents should be chemically transformed to obtain desired compounds for crosslinked polymers (monomers, oligomers and resins) starting from bio-based phenolic monomers (i.e., vanillin, eugenol, tannins, lignins) and these operations require a series of chemical reactions and purification processes which are also energy intensive and economically not favorable (Paipa-Álvarez et al, 2020;Quirino et al, 2021). In fact, it should be also considered that every additional step brings a decrease in the yield of subsequent product, resulting into higher process costs (Khoo et al, 2016;Mahajan et al, 2020).…”