Recent developments in bio-based polyethylene: Degradation studies, waste management and recycling

Burelo, Manuel; Hernández-Varela, Josué David; Medina, Dora I.; Treviño-Quintanilla, Cecilia D.

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21374

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…The peak in this region is mainly related to C=C stretching, which also indicates polymer degradation [27,71]. In the case of LDPE, the appearance of C=C structures indicates dehydrogenation as one of the degradation reactions; we found that dehydrogenation during PE degradation has also been confirmed in some other treatments [72,73]. The formation of carbonyl groups was confirmed by a new peak at 1715 cm −1 (Figure 6A).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Evaluation of Fenton, Photo-Fenton and Fenton-like Processes in Degradation of PE, PP, and PVC Microplastics

Bule Možar,

Miloloža,

Martinjak

et al. 2024

Water

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The global problem of microplastics in the environment is “inspiring” scientists to find environmentally friendly and economically viable methods to remove these pollutants from the environment. Advanced oxidation processes are among the most promising methods. In this work, the potential of Fenton, photo-Fenton, and Fenton-like processes for the degradation of microplastics from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in water suspensions was investigated. The influence of three parameters on the efficiency of the degradation process was tested: the pH of the medium (3–7), the mass of added iron (10–50 times less than the mass of microplastics), and the mass of added H2O2 (5–25 times more than the mass of added iron). The effectiveness of the treatment was monitored by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. After 60-min treatments, the PP microparticles were found to be insensitive. In the Fenton treatment of PVC and the photo-Fenton treatment of LDPE and PVC, changes in the FTIR spectra related to the degradation of the microplastics were observed. In these three cases, the treatment parameters were optimized. It was found that a low pH (3) and a high iron mass (optimal values were 1/12 and 1/10 of the mass of the microplastics for LDPE and PVC, respectively) favored all three. The degradation of LDPE by the photo-Fenton treatment was favored by high H2O2 concentrations (25 times higher than the mass of iron), while these concentrations were significantly lower for PVC (11 and 15 times for the Fenton and photo-Fenton treatment, respectively), suggesting that scavenging activity occurs.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Evaluation of Fenton, Photo-Fenton and Fenton-like Processes in Degradation of PE, PP, and PVC Microplastics

Bule Možar,

Miloloža,

Martinjak

et al. 2024

Water

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“…The global production of polyurethane (PU) remains between 5.3 and 5.5% compared to conventional plastics such as PET, PE, PP, PVC, and PS [ 1 , 2 , 8 ]. PU has gained much attention due to its excellent thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties, diversity in material types, and their applications.…”

Section: Bio-based Polyurethane Elastomersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A bio-based polymer originates from natural and/or renewable sources, typically derived from biomass, and is recognized for its environmentally friendly characteristics. It exhibits a shorter environmental decomposition time, influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors [ 8 ]. This polymer or elastomer may consist partially or entirely of bio-based components, such as a mixture, composite, copolymer, graft, additive, or by employing natural monomers in the synthesis (biopolymer).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Developments in Synthesis, Properties, Applications and Recycling of Bio-Based Elastomers

Burelo,

Martínez,

Hernández-Varela

et al. 2024

Molecules

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In 2021, global plastics production was 390.7 Mt; in 2022, it was 400.3 Mt, showing an increase of 2.4%, and this rising tendency will increase yearly. Of this data, less than 2% correspond to bio-based plastics. Currently, polymers, including elastomers, are non-recyclable and come from non-renewable sources. Additionally, most elastomers are thermosets, making them complex to recycle and reuse. It takes hundreds to thousands of years to decompose or biodegrade, contributing to plastic waste accumulation, nano and microplastic formation, and environmental pollution. Due to this, the synthesis of elastomers from natural and renewable resources has attracted the attention of researchers and industries. In this review paper, new methods and strategies are proposed for the preparation of bio-based elastomers. The main goals are the advances and improvements in the synthesis, properties, and applications of bio-based elastomers from natural and industrial rubbers, polyurethanes, polyesters, and polyethers, and an approach to their circular economy and sustainability. Olefin metathesis is proposed as a novel and sustainable method for the synthesis of bio-based elastomers, which allows for the depolymerization or degradation of rubbers with the use of essential oils, terpenes, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols from natural resources such as chain transfer agents (CTA) or donors of the terminal groups in the main chain, which allow for control of the molecular weights and functional groups, obtaining new compounds, oligomers, and bio-based elastomers with an added value for the application of new polymers and materials. This tendency contributes to the development of bio-based elastomers that can reduce carbon emissions, avoid cross-contamination from fossil fuels, and obtain a greener material with biodegradable and/or compostable behavior.

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“…It is estimated that at least 14 million tons of plastic waste end into the world’s oceans each year ( https://bitly.ws/3fQqm ). This rapid accumulation of plastic, produced from non-degradable polymers (Burelo et al 2023 ), in nature raises concerns for the environment and human health. Moreover, analytical methods cannot be enough to determine microplastics in both human samples and the environment (Barbosa et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An evaluation of a hepatotoxicity risk induced by the microplastic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) using HepG2/THP-1 co-culture model

Boran,

Zengin,

Seker

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Inappropriate disposal of plastic wastes and their durability in nature cause uncontrolled accumulation of plastic in land/marine ecosystems, also causing destructive effects by bioaccumulating along the food chain. Microplastics may cause chronic inflammation in relation to their permanent structures, especially through oxidative stress and cytotoxic cellular damage, which could increase the risk of cancer development. The accumulation of microplastics in the liver is a major concern, and therefore, the identification of the mechanisms of their hepatotoxic effects is of great importance. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a widely used thermoplastic. It has been determined that PMMA disrupts lipid metabolism in the liver in various aquatic organisms and causes reproductive and developmental toxicity. PMMA-induced hepatotoxic effects in humans have not yet been clarified. In our study, the toxic effects of PMMA (in the range of 3–10 μm) on the human liver were investigated using the HepG2/THP-1 macrophage co-culture model, which is a sensitive immune-mediated liver injury model. Cellular uptake of micro-sized PMMA in the cells was done by transmission electron microscopy. Determination of its effects on cell viability and inflammatory response, oxidative stress, along with gene and protein expression levels that play a role in the mechanism pathways underlying the effects were investigated. The results concluded that inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in lipid metabolism should be the focus of attention as important underlying causes of PMMA-induced hepatotoxicity. Our study, which points out the potential adverse effects of microplastics on human health, supports the literature information on the subject.

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Recent developments in bio-based polyethylene: Degradation studies, waste management and recycling

Cited by 14 publications

References 90 publications

Evaluation of Fenton, Photo-Fenton and Fenton-like Processes in Degradation of PE, PP, and PVC Microplastics

Evaluation of Fenton, Photo-Fenton and Fenton-like Processes in Degradation of PE, PP, and PVC Microplastics

Recent Developments in Synthesis, Properties, Applications and Recycling of Bio-Based Elastomers

An evaluation of a hepatotoxicity risk induced by the microplastic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) using HepG2/THP-1 co-culture model

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