It is the International Scientific Review of the Ethical Packaging Charter Foundation. A bimonthly publication in which 7 multidisciplinary articles are presented, relating to packaging, selected by several magazines of the digital science world.
In this number:
Eco-friendly silica microcapsules with improved fragrance retention.
Microcapsules are widely used in various applications; however, most are composed of synthetic plastics. Therefore, the substitution of component materials is essential to prevent environmental problems associated with primary microplastics. Here we report the synthesis of eco-friendly microcapsules with silica core for fragrance retention. The silica shell was prepared via synthesis of oil / water emulsion patterns using tetraethylosilicate (TEOS), which was added to the immature silica microcapsules prior to the complete formation of primary silica shells to promote seed growth for further reaction of silica.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/13/6759
Recent advances in lignin depolymerization techniques: a comparative overview of traditional and greener approaches.
Due to the increase and excessive consumption of fossil fuels, sustainable alternative energy sources are absolutely necessary to replace fossil fuels. The conversion of biomass into energy and value-added chemicals is one of the most promising potential pathways to solve this problem. Millions of tons of lignin, one of the main components of biomass, are produced every year as a by-product of various industries, where it is treated as a low-value material. However, because it has an aromatic polymer nature, lignin is a proven source for several value-added products. Studies suggest that selective cleavage of a specific bond in the complex lignin structure is one of the major challenges of converting lignin into a targeted product.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8783/2/3/9
Development of wood polymer composites from recycled wood and plastic waste: thermal and mechanical properties.
The depletion of natural resources due to the aggressive industrialization of recent decades has brought considerable attention to research aimed at developing green and sustainable products using eco-compatible materials. The aim of this study was to develop wood polymer composites (WPCs) using recycled plastic waste (RPW) generated by university laboratories and recycled wood waste (RWW) from construction and demolition (C&D) activities by melting-mixing. WPCs were characterized for their mechanical and thermal properties, as well as for water absorption and morphology. SEM micrograph indicated a good interaction between RWW and RPW matrix.
https://www.mdpi.com/2504-477X/6/7/194/htm
Special Issue: Processing, Structure, Dynamics and Mechanical Properties of Polymeric Materials.
The new challenges related to the need to develop new biodegradable materials with new properties and structures, difficult to work with conventional processing methods, also concern the advancement and development of machines, especially the most common ones, such as extruders and molding machines. injection. The aim of the special issue is to collect current research and analysis concerning the properties and structure of new polymeric materials of various applications, with particular attention to biodegradable materials, and to show the possibilities of applying optimization methods in the processing of polymers. , which can be safely applied with excellent results and without great computational effort.
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/9/3143
Triblock copolymer compatibilizers to improve the mechanical properties of a renewable biopolymer.
Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is an emerging plastic that has insufficient properties (for example, it is too brittle) for widespread commercial use. Previous research results have shown that the strength and toughness of basalt fiber reinforced PLA (PLA / BF) composites still need to be improved. To address this limitation, this study aimed to obtain an effective compatibilizer for PLA / BF. The fusion-blending of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with PLA in the presence of 4,4′-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI: 0.5 wt% of the total resin) provided triblock copolymers PLA / PBAT- MDI. The triblock copolymers were blended with fluxes to improve the interfacial adhesion of PLA / BF and thus obtain excellent performance of the PLA-ternary polymers. This work presents the first investigation on the effects of PLA / PBAT-MDI triblock copolymers as compatibilizers for PLA / BF blends.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/13/2734
Recycling of post-consumer packaging materials in new food packaging applications: Critical Review of the European Approach and Future Perspectives.
The European strategy for plastics, as part of the EU action plan for the circular economy, should support the reduction of plastic waste. A key element of this action plan is improving the economy and quality of recycled plastics. Furthermore, an important goal is that by 2030 all plastic packaging placed on the EU market must be reusable or recyclable in a cost-effective way. This means that, eventually, closed-loop recycling of food packaging materials should be established. However, the use of recycled materials must not lead to less stringent preventive consumer protection of food packaging materials. The aim of this review is to provide an insight into the evaluation of post-consumer recycled materials applied in direct contact with food.
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/2/824
Poly Chlorine Biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment: occupational and exhibition events, effects on human health and fertility.
In the last decade or so, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have garnered renewed attention in the scientific community due to new evidence indicating their continued presence in the environment and workplaces and the potential human risks associated with their presence. PCBs move from the environment to humans through different paths; the dominant route is the ingestion of contaminated food (fish, seafood and dairy products), followed by inhalation (both indoors and outdoors) and, to a lesser extent, by ingestion of dust and skin contact. The highest PCB contamination was found in electronic waste recycling sites, suggesting the need to implement remediation strategies for these polluted areas to safeguard the health of workers and local populations.
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/10/7/365
