Polymer Testing,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
137, P. 108483 - 108483
Published: June 12, 2024
The
widespread
adoption
of
plastics
has
led
to
substantial
production
and
waste
generation,
raising
environmental
concerns.
Chemical
recycling
offers
a
promising
solution
enhance
rates,
with
microwave
heating
emerging
as
an
attractive
technology
for
polymer
breakdown.
This
paper
investigates
the
dielectric
properties
various
polymers
their
temperature
dependencies,
providing
insight
into
effectiveness
heating.
Results
indicate
that
while
may
show
low
loss
at
room
temperature,
those
polar
segments
exhibit
increasing
high
temperatures,
indicating
additional
susceptors
not
always
necessary
effective
Three
key
transitions
are
identified
respect
significant
impact
on
elevated
temperatures:
glass
transition
decomposition
point
where
dispersion/displacement
peak
exceeds
measurement
frequency.
Additionally,
this
introduces
new
approach
utilising
selective,
multistage
mixed
plastics.
Applied Sciences,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
15(3), P. 1634 - 1634
Published: Feb. 6, 2025
Plastic
waste
management
is
currently
a
challenge
of
great
importance.
The
valorization
non-recyclable
fractions
into
carbonaceous
adsorbents
an
interesting
strategy
that
promotes
the
circular
economy.
In
this
work,
waste-to-adsorbent
was
pursued
with
char
from
plastic
pyrolysis.
(non-porous,
surface
area
~3
m2
g−1)
activated
chemical
activation,
sodium
carbonate
boosting
textural
properties
(surface
~418
g−1,
pore
volume
0.436
cm3
g−1),
triggering
formation
carbon
large
mesoporosity
(71%).
X-ray
photoelectron
spectroscopy
and
thermal
programmed
desorption
characterization
confirmed
enrichment
carboxylic
groups
by
treatment
citric
acid,
slight
loss
properties.
showed
enhanced
adsorption
uptake
lead
in
water
(~52
mg
g−1
functionalized
vs.
~37
non-functionalized)
limited
influence
on
acetaminophen.
preparation
costs
consumption
cost
per
unit
removed
pollutants
confirm
benefits
activation
functionalization
original
precursor.
However,
possible
metal
lixiviation
additives
environmental
impact
according
to
life
cycle
assessment
still
make
kind
controversial.
Advanced Sustainable Systems,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 2, 2025
Abstract
Plastic
pollution
poses
a
significant
threat
to
the
global
health
and
ecosystem.
Repurposing
plastic
wastes
for
sustainable
energy
is
promising
approach
mitigate
problem.
In
this
study,
waste‐derived
activated
carbon
(PWC)
synthesized
from
nonrecyclable
waste
used
as
cathode
material
in
lithium–selenium
(Li–Se)
batteries
zinc‐ion
hybrid
supercapacitors
(ZHCs).
Increasing
activation
temperature
(500–800
°C)
enhances
specific
surface
area
pore
volume
tailors
porous
structure
of
PWC
toward
larger
sizes.
at
lower
temperatures
with
potassium
hydroxide
(KOH)
shows
better
performance
Se
host
Li–Se
due
their
microporous
effective
confinement.
based
on
600
°C
(PWC600/Se)
delivers
reversible
discharge
capacity
655.2
mAh
g
−1
0.1
C
over
150
cycles.
800
(PWC800)
possesses
largest
2328.2
m
2
thus
fabricate
electrodes
ZHCs.
The
developed
PWC800‐ZHC
high
density
97
Wh
kg
1600
W
power
excellent
cycle
stability
only
8%
capacitance
decay
after
5000
cycles
1.0
A
.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 19, 2025
We
prepared
and
studied
a
series
of
triblock
copolymers
based
on
poly(ethylene
glycol)
(PEG)
poly(lactic
acid)
(PLA).
PLA
blocks
were
in
situ
by
ring-opening
polymerization
(ROP)
lactide
(LA)
onto
the
two
sites
PEG.
While
our
recent
work
similar
with
varying
LA/PEG
molar
ratios
fixed
PEG
[Bikiaris,
N.
D.
Mater.
Today
Commun.
2024,
38,
107799],
herein,
we
kept
this
ratio
quite
low,
at
640/1,
employed
different
molecular
weights,
Mn,
initial
1,
4,
6,
8
kg/mol.
The
triblocks
demonstrated
high
homogeneity,
as
manifested
single
thermal
transition
(glass
transition,
crystallization)
corresponding
alternations
systematic
way
Mn
With
increase
latter
accelerated
segmental
mobility
lowering
Tg
up
to
15
K
recorded,
accompanied
suppression
chain
fragility
(cooperativity).
Compared
linear
PLAs
various
Mns
[Klonos,
P.
A.
Polymer
305,
127177]
other
PLA-based
ROPs,
overall
copolymers,
here
sees
play
role
plasticizer
PLA,
leading
increased
free
volume.
Due
these
effects,
general,
low
crystalline
fraction
(∼3%)
was
significantly
enhanced
(20–26%),
formed
spherulites
mainly
enlarged.
Contrary
these,
nucleation
barely
affected;
thus,
exhibited
altered
semicrystalline
morphologies
compared
that
neat
PLA.
Both
aspects
dynamics,
volume
crystallization,
connected
processability
well
performance
systems,
considering
envisaged
biomedical
applications.
Advanced Science,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 11, 2025
Abstract
Only
a
small
fraction
of
the
global
plastic
waste
is
recycled,
and
recycled
materials
are
often
lower
quality.
For
example,
only
14%
world's
total
with
low‐density
polyethylene
(LDPE)
accounting
for
4%
it.
This
study
presents
novel
approach
to
transforming
LDPE
into
electrically
conductive
artificial
graphite
high
crystallinity
using
stabilization
graphitization
processes.
method
achieves
carbon
yield
89.4%,
surpassing
yields
from
conventional
polymer
precursors,
such
as
polyacrylonitrile
polyamide.
The
resulting
LDPE‐derived
(LGP)
exhibits
electrical
conductivity,
twice
those
natural
comparable
graphite,
which
typically
requires
extensive
heat
treatment
prepare.
LGP
can
be
used
in
pastes
inks
advanced
applications,
3D
printing,
flexible
electrodes,
heaters,
photothermal
devices.
Additionally,
enables
formation
larger
graphene
oxide
(GO)
an
average
size
4.1
±
2.4
µm,
because
crystalline
domains
facilitate
exfoliation
process.
developed
this
contributes
significantly
management
provides
pathway
fabrication
valuable
broad
industrial
applications.
ACS Omega,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 14, 2025
Heavy
metal
pollutants,
such
as
Cu2+,
pose
significant
environmental
and
health
risks
due
to
their
toxicity
persistence
in
water
systems.
Simultaneously,
the
increasing
accumulation
of
waste
poly(ethylene
terephthalate)
(PET)
bottles
represents
a
growing
challenge,
contributing
plastic
pollution.
This
study
addresses
both
issues
by
converting
PET
into
porous
activated
carbon
(APC)
via
pyrolysis,
creating
an
efficient
sustainable
adsorbent
for
Cu2+
removal
from
aqueous
solutions.
The
APC
materials
were
thoroughly
characterized
SEM,
BET,
XPS
analyses,
revealing
highly
structure
abundant
oxygen-containing
functional
groups,
which
enhance
adsorption.
adsorption
process
was
determined
be
spontaneous,
with
low
activation
energy
7.47
kJ/mol,
indicating
favorable
energy-efficient
mechanism.
Among
samples,
APC-800
exhibited
best
performance,
achieving
efficiency
99.30%
maximum
capacity
5.85
mg/g.
Recyclability
tests
confirmed
material's
durability,
maintaining
over
96%
during
first
three
cycles,
slight
decline
later
cycles.
demonstrates
dual
benefit:
mitigating
repurposing
providing
effective
solution
heavy
pollution,
aligning
circular
economy
principles,
promoting
sustainability
management.
Sustainability,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
17(2), P. 548 - 548
Published: Jan. 13, 2025
PET,
one
of
the
most
commonly
used
plastics,
presents
significant
environmental
challenges
due
to
its
non-biodegradable
nature.
To
address
this,
we
developed
a
sustainable
method
convert
PET
waste
into
high-performance
activated
carbon
via
chemical
activation
with
phosphoric
acid
(H3PO4).
The
produced
was
analyzed
utilizing
X-ray
diffraction
(XRD),
Fourier-transform
infrared
spectroscopy
(FT-IR),
scanning
electron
microscopy
(SEM),
nitrogen
adsorption/desorption
(BET),
energy-dispersive
(EDX),
and
Raman
spectroscopy.
had
macroporous
architecture
substantial
surface
area,
pore
diameter,
volume
655.59
m2/g,
3.389
nm,
0.120
cm3/g,
respectively.
adsorption
isotherm
for
phenol
conformed
Langmuir
model,
signifying
single-layer
maximal
capacity
114.94
mg/g,
while
kinetic
adhered
second-order
model
at
an
optimal
pH
7.
study
highlights
benefits
mitigating
plastic
pollution
producing
cost-effective
eco-friendly
adsorbent
water
treatment
applications.
This
research
underscores
potential
recycling
valuable
materials
remediation.
