Studies Toward Producing Eco-Friendly Plastics

Abstract

Plastics have become a major factor in modern life and the massive volume of plastics in use has a significant effect on the environment. Major efforts are underway to reduce the impact of plastics on the environment and to make them more eco-friendly. Such efforts include the use of bio-materials instead of nonrenewable resources such as petroleum for manufacturing polymers. There are also studies which are aimed at reducing the impact of discarded plastic products on air and water supplies, as well as on flora, fauna, and landfills.

Influence of maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene compatibiliser on the tensile, oxygen barrier and thermal properties of rice husk and nanoclay-filled low-density polyethylene composite films

“…The lack of compatibility and interfacial bonding between RH and LDPE can be attributed to low polarity of polyolefins and the high-surface energy of the cellulosic fibres. The micrographs also depict that the fibres Journal of Plastic Film & Sheeting 30 (2) adhered well to the polymer matrix at higher MaPE concentrations and undergo breaking during failure instead of being pulled out from the matrix. When fibre breakage occurs, matrix fibrillation takes place, which is a good indication of better interfacial adhesion between fibre and matrix.…”

“…Journal of Plastic Film & Sheeting 30 (2) properties of the filler-reinforced composites are mainly influenced by the interfacial adhesion between the fillers and the matrix material and dispersion of the fillers. [13][14][15] While, on the other hand, polyolefins have affinity neither with lignocellulosic fillers nor with nanoclay and face difficulty in establishing a well-bonded structure.…”

Bionanocomposites: A New Concept of Ecological, Bioinspired, and Functional Hybrid Materials

“…Petroleum-derived synthetic plastics are being replaced by biodegradable natural polymers extracted from renewable natural resources, such as starch, cellulose, PLA, or polycaprolactone, mostly in the production of bioplastics for packaging applications. [31] These new green materials are composed of nontoxic components that can be easily degraded by micro-organisms. This trend represents a huge benefit to the environment and will also contribute to a reduced dependence on fossil fuels.…”

Progress in Bionanocomposite Materials

“…Among other of their applications, food packaging is probably the most interesting one from the point of view of worldwide consumption as well as environmental impact reduction [19]. In this way, much research is currently undertaken using abundant biodegradable polymers, such as starch, cellulose, chitin and chitosan, alginate, polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates, etc., as well as their derivatives.…”