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Organic and Inorganic Modifications of Polymers for Environmental Applications

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (18 February 2022) | Viewed by 12731

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrea Antonino Scamporrino

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Guest Editor

National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (CNR-IPCB), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18 95126 CT Catania, Italy
Interests: polymer synthesis; nano-composites; polymer characterization; MALDI TOF-MS; GPC; thermal analysis; SEM

Dr. Chiara Maria Antonietta Gangemi

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, V.le F. Stagno D’Alcontres, 31-98166- Messina, Italy
Interests: supramolecular chemistry; host-guest chemistry; supramolecular assembly; supramolecular polymers; organic chemistry; organic synthesis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, many predictions of anthropogenic environmental damage have come true and polymeric materials have often been considered part of the problem. This has led our community to review not only how we use plastic materials, but also how to modify the methods of synthesis according to use and especially to the post-use destiny of these materials. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies allow a better optimization of the environmental cost and impact of the produced materials. Furthermore, recently many examples of polymeric materials for the treatment of contaminants, pollutant sensing, and detection have been proposed by the scientific community, restoring the reputation and the primary role of polymeric materials in environmental protection.

For these reasons, the application of organic (insertion of specific functional groups) and inorganic (insertion of ceramic, metal, and carbon-based nanoparticles through covalent and non-covalent attachment) modifications has been pursued more and more frequently for the production of environmentally friendly polymers.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect the most innovative applications of polymeric materials able to remove pollutants from the environment, focusing on the design and use of hybrid polymers in environment remediation. This includes the removal of emerging pollutants, the filtration of air and water, the recovery of the soil and the recovery of eventually reusable substances.

Dr. Andrea Antonino Scamporrino
Dr. Chiara Maria Antonietta Gangemi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

synthesis
environment
remediation
composites
polymer functionalization
inorganic/organic polymer hybrids
sustainability

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Organic Based Heat Stabilizer on Properties of Polyvinyl Chloride for Pipe Applications: A Comparative Study with Pb and CaZn Systems

by Chanchira Jubsilp, Aran Asawakosinchai, Phattarin Mora, Duangporn Saramas and Sarawut Rimdusit

Polymers 2022, 14(1), 133; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14010133 - 30 Dec 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3598

Abstract

In this paper, the effects of organic based stabilizers (OBS) are investigated and compared with traditional lead (Pb) and calcium zinc (CaZn) heat stabilizers regarding their processability, mechanical property, and thermal degradation behaviors in rigid PVC pipe applications. In addition, the effects of repeated processing cycles on the degree of gelation and the impact strength of the PVC/OBS, PVC/CaZn, and PVC/Pb are also examined. A repeated processing cycle of those three types of the heat stabilizers up to four cycles was found to increase the degree of gelation and proved no significant effect on the impact strength and heat resistance of the resulting PVC samples. The OBS showed a positive effect on preventing the autocatalytic-typed thermal degradation of the PVC samples. This leads to a longer retention time for the initial color change of the PVC/OBS compared to PVC/Pb or PVC/CaZn systems. This characteristic was related to a more uniform fusion behavior of the PVC/OBS, i.e., the lowest gelation speed and the longest fusion time. The non-isothermal kinetic parameter determined by the Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods of the dehydrochlorination stage of the PVC/OBS was in satisfactory agreement and continued to compare with the PVC/Pb and PVC/CaZn systems. The results indicated that the OBS might decrease the dehydrochlorination rate of PVC, implying that PVC/OBS was more stable than PVC/Pb and PVC/CaZn systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organic and Inorganic Modifications of Polymers for Environmental Applications)

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Review

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16 pages, 6802 KiB

Open AccessReview

Modifications of Polymers through the Addition of Ultraviolet Absorbers to Reduce the Aging Effect of Accelerated and Natural Irradiation

by Gamal A. El-Hiti, Dina S. Ahmed, Emad Yousif, Omar S. A. Al-Khazrajy, Mustafa Abdallh and Saud A. Alanazi

Polymers 2022, 14(1), 20; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14010020 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4771

Abstract

The photooxidative degradation process of plastics caused by ultraviolet irradiation leads to bond breaking, crosslinking, the elimination of volatiles, formation of free radicals, and decreases in weight and molecular weight. Photodegradation deteriorates both the mechanical and physical properties of plastics and affects their predicted life use, in particular for applications in harsh environments. Plastics have many benefits, while on the other hand, they have numerous disadvantages, such as photodegradation and photooxidation in harsh environments and the release of toxic substances due to the leaching of some components, which have a negative effect on living organisms. Therefore, attention is paid to the design and use of safe, plastic, ultraviolet stabilizers that do not pose a danger to the environment if released. Plastic ultraviolet photostabilizers act as efficient light screeners (absorbers or pigments), excited-state deactivators (quenchers), hydroperoxide decomposers, and radical scavengers. Ultraviolet absorbers are cheap to produce, can be used in low concentrations, mix well with polymers to produce a homogenous matrix, and do not alter the color of polymers. Recently, polyphosphates, Schiff bases, and organometallic complexes were synthesized and used as potential ultraviolet absorbers for polymeric materials. They reduced the damage caused by accelerated and natural ultraviolet aging, which was confirmed by inspecting the surface morphology of irradiated polymeric films. For example, atomic force microscopy revealed that the roughness factor of polymers’ irradiated surfaces was improved significantly in the presence of ultraviolet absorbers. In addition, the investigation of the surface of irradiated polymers using scanning electron microscopy showed a high degree of homogeneity and the appearance of pores that were different in size and shape. The current work surveys for the first time the use of newly synthesized, ultraviolet absorbers as additives to enhance the photostability of polymeric materials and, in particular, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene, based mainly on our own recent work in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organic and Inorganic Modifications of Polymers for Environmental Applications)

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47 pages, 3650 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of the Recent Progress in the Development of Nanocomposites Based on Poly(ether-block-amide) Copolymers as Membranes for CO₂ Separation

by Gabriele Clarizia and Paola Bernardo

Polymers 2022, 14(1), 10; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14010010 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3215

Abstract

An inspiring challenge for membrane scientists is to exceed the current materials’ performance while keeping the intrinsic processability of the polymers. Nanocomposites, as mixed-matrix membranes, represent a practicable response to this strongly felt need, since they combine the superior properties of inorganic fillers with the easy handling of the polymers. In the global strategy of containing the greenhouse effect by pursuing a model of sustainable growth, separations involving CO₂ are some of the most pressing topics due to their implications in flue gas emission and natural gas upgrading. For this purpose, Pebax copolymers are being actively studied by virtue of a macromolecular structure that comprises specific groups that are capable of interacting with CO₂, facilitating its transport with respect to other gas species. Interestingly, these copolymers show a high versatility in the incorporation of nanofillers, as proved by the large number of papers describing nanocomposite membranes based on Pebax for the separation of CO₂. Since the field is advancing fast, this review will focus on the most recent progress (from the last 5 years), in order to provide the most up-to-date overview in this area. The most recent approaches for developing Pebax-based mixed-matrix membranes will be discussed, evidencing the most promising filler materials and analyzing the key-factors and the main aspects that are relevant in terms of achieving the best effectiveness of these multifaceted membranes for the development of innovative devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organic and Inorganic Modifications of Polymers for Environmental Applications)

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