Sustainable hybrid composites of recycled polypropylene and construction debris

Abstract

We prepared composites of recycled polypropylene and construction debris aiming to obtain a sustainable hybrid material, with prospective application in the construction industry. We varied the amount of debris in 0, 1, 2, 3 and 7 m/m/% and the compounded materials were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, melt flow rate, wide angle X-ray diffractometry, nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time and dynamic mechanical analysis. The melt flow rate varied non-linearly according to the debris content. The thermal stability of recycled polypropylene was slightly improved due to the presence of debris particles. The degree of crystallinity of the recycled polypropylene also showed a non-linear change, and we noticed some transcrystallization phenomenon in the polymeric matrix. The glass transition temperature decreased for all composites, denoting an increase in the segmental mobility of the polymeric chains. Considering the domains curves of the nuclear magnetic resonance, there was some interaction between polymer and debris particles, mainly ascribed to the nanometric portion of the hybrid debris particles. We concluded that this hybrid composite may become of great interest to the construction industry, used as replacement for closing boards.

Dimensional variation and evolution of mechanical properties of wet aged composites reinforced with flax fibers

“…Similar temperature range was actually also used in several other studies for PP matrix materials. 11,12…”

“…Similar temperature range was actually also used in several other studies for PP matrix materials. 11,12 The mechanical properties that will be particularly studied in this work using the Dynamic Mechanical Analysis machine are the storage modulus E', the loss modulus E'' and the loss factor tan d, which is the ratio between E'' and E'. Further information regarding the calculation of the storage and loss moduli can be found in Liu et al 13…”

“…Figure12. Evolution of the loss factor for the studied materials with and without the coupling agent, at dry state.…”

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/titanium phosphate nanocomposites: Effect of fillers on thermal, crystallographic diffraction, molecular mobility, and UV-Vis absorption

“…In addition, the fillers had a role as nucleating agent increasing the PET crystallization rate. Macedo et al 40 reported the phenomenon known as transcrystallization in their work on sustainable hybrid composites of recycled PP and construction debris. Modified montmorillonite induced the PET crystallization was described by Ou et al, 41 in the study on PET nanocomposites.…”

Valorization of Polypropylene Waste in the Production of New Materials with Adequate Mechanical and Thermal Properties for Environmental Protection

“…No later than 31 December 2025, 50% by weight of all packaging plastic waste must be recycled. Globally, PP is the second most versatile plastic [ 10 , 11 ] and is used in the textile industry, construction, packaging, and medical and electrical appliances [ 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], leading to huge waste after their shelf-life has ended. In Europe, plastic waste should be recycled either by mechanical or pyrolysis recycling technologies, as an alternative to incineration and landfilling methods [ 16 ].…”