Study on the influence of advanced treatment processes on the surface properties of polylactic acid for a bio-based circular economy for plastics.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed and optimized the ultrasonication (US) and UV photodegradation and their combination as well as dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma as pre-treatment technologies, which change surface properties and enhance the biodegradation of plastic by surface oxidation and thus helping bacteria to dock on them.
About: This article is published in Ultrasonics Sonochemistry.The article was published on 2021-06-10 and is currently open access. It has received 9 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Biodegradation & Polymer.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarized the current understanding and concerns of plastics pollution (microplastics or nanoplastics) on natural ecosystems and provided a background assessment on the adverse effects of plastic pollution on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; interlink the management of plastics with sustainable development goals; address the policy initiatives under transdisciplinary approaches through life cycle assessment, circular economy, and sustainability; identify the knowledge gaps; and provide current policy recommendations.
Abstract: Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Plastic waste exposed to the environment creates problems and is of significant concern for all life forms. Plastic production and accumulation in the natural environment are occurring at an unprecedented rate due to indiscriminate use, inadequate recycling, and deposits in landfills. In 2019, the global production of plastic was at 370 million tons, with only 9% of it being recycled, 12% being incinerated, and the remaining left in the environment or landfills. The leakage of plastic wastes into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is occurring at an unprecedented rate. The management of plastic waste is a challenging problem for researchers, policymakers, citizens, and other stakeholders. Therefore, here, we summarize the current understanding and concerns of plastics pollution (microplastics or nanoplastics) on natural ecosystems. The overall goal of this review is to provide background assessment on the adverse effects of plastic pollution on natural ecosystems; interlink the management of plastic pollution with sustainable development goals; address the policy initiatives under transdisciplinary approaches through life cycle assessment, circular economy, and sustainability; identify the knowledge gaps; and provide current policy recommendations. Plastic waste management through community involvement and socio-economic inputs in different countries are presented and discussed. Plastic ban policies and public awareness are likely the major mitigation interventions. The need for life cycle assessment and circularity to assess the potential environmental impacts and resources used throughout a plastic product’s life span is emphasized. Innovations are needed to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover plastics and find eco-friendly replacements for plastics. Empowering and educating communities and citizens to act collectively to minimize plastic pollution and use alternative options for plastics must be promoted and enforced. Plastic pollution is a global concern that must be addressed collectively with the utmost priority.
152 citations
TL;DR: Advanced oxidation procedures (AOPs) refer to a variety of technical procedures that produce OH radicals to sufficiently oxidize wastewater, organic pollutant streams, and toxic effluents from industrial, hospital, pharmaceutical and municipal wastes as discussed by the authors .
Abstract: Advanced oxidation procedures (AOPs) refer to a variety of technical procedures that produce OH radicals to sufficiently oxidize wastewater, organic pollutant streams, and toxic effluents from industrial, hospital, pharmaceutical and municipal wastes. Through the implementation of such procedures, the (post) treatment of such waste effluents leads to products that are more susceptible to bioremediation, are less toxic and possess less pollutant load. The basic mechanism produces free OH radicals and other reactive species such as superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, etc. A basic classification of AOPs is presented in this short review, analyzing the processes of UV/H2O2, Fenton and photo-Fenton, ozone-based (O3) processes, photocatalysis and sonolysis from chemical and equipment points of view to clarify the nature of the reactive species in each AOP and their advantages. Finally, combined AOP implementations are favored through the literature as an efficient solution in addressing the issue of global environmental waste management.
60 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a set of indicators, developed combining PESTLE (the Political, Economic, Technical, Social, Legal, and Environmental aspects) and SWOT (the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) approaches, were subjected to evaluation by experts (pairwise comparisons), following the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).
Abstract: In the recent past, sustainable development has been considered a major issue for urban and regional studies. Adaptive reuse appears to be a practical solution for sustainable urban development. Beyond and in addition to a conceptual base consistent with circular economy and sustainability principles, how do we know if adaptive reuse is actually sustainable, provided that it constitutes a multidisciplinary and multilevel process? The present study aims at evaluating, in as much as feasible quantitative terms, adaptive reuse practices sustainability. This was attained using a set of indicators, developed combining PESTLE (the Political, Economic, Technical, Social, Legal, and Environmental aspects) and SWOT (the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) approaches, of which the results were subjected to evaluation by experts (pairwise comparisons), following the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The indicators representing strengths and opportunities of the process were calculated to be of higher value (overall level of final cumulative indicators values; 70.4%) compared with indicators representing weaknesses and threats. Enhancing strengths and opportunities and counteracting weaknesses and threats contribute making the potential of adaptive reuse practices in urban sustainability more evident. Among analysis dimensions, political and economic aspects rank first, followed by environmental, socio-cultural, technological-technical, and legal aspect. The empirical results of this paper serve as a useful reference point for decision-making and policy formulation addressing adaptive reuse practices in sustainable development strategies.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this article , an overview of the existing methods of composite material waste management, while presenting new circular economy prospects for end-of-life strategies and providing a brief roadmap towards circularity for industries.
Abstract: Composite materials constitute an appealing choice in many industrial sectors, due to their unique composition and characteristics, such as low maintenance requirements, light weight, corrosion resistance, and durability. However, the sustainable management of end-of-life composite materials remains a challenge. Recovery strategies, design aspects, and their interconnection are currently largely unexplored, while technologies involved in the circular economy (reuse, reduce, recycle, refurbish, etc.) could be improved. The current paper provides an overview of the existing methods of composite material waste management, while presenting new circular economy prospects for end-of-life strategies and providing a brief roadmap towards circularity for industries. Finally, existing circular economy practices in regard to composites are presented in different European countries to present the applicability of composite material end-of-life waste management.
22 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , a zinc-based metal-organic framework (MOF) has been prepared by utilizing adipic acid as an aliphatic ditopic linker via both solvothermal and sonochemical methods.
8 citations
References
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TL;DR: The atomic force microscope as mentioned in this paper is a combination of the principles of the scanning tunneling microscope and the stylus profilometer, which was proposed as a method to measure forces as small as 10-18 N. As one application for this concept, they introduce a new type of microscope capable of investigating surfaces of insulators on an atomic scale.
Abstract: The scanning tunneling microscope is proposed as a method to measure forces as small as 10-18 N. As one application for this concept, we introduce a new type of microscope capable of investigating surfaces of insulators on an atomic scale. The atomic force microscope is a combination of the principles of the scanning tunneling microscope and the stylus profilometer. It incorporates a probe that does not damage the surface. Our preliminary results in air demonstrate a lateral resolution of 30 A and a vertical resolution less than 1 A.
12,344 citations
TL;DR: By identifying and synthesizing dispersed data on production, use, and end-of-life management of polymer resins, synthetic fibers, and additives, this work presents the first global analysis of all mass-produced plastics ever manufactured.
Abstract: Plastics have outgrown most man-made materials and have long been under environmental scrutiny. However, robust global information, particularly about their end-of-life fate, is lacking. By identifying and synthesizing dispersed data on production, use, and end-of-life management of polymer resins, synthetic fibers, and additives, we present the first global analysis of all mass-produced plastics ever manufactured. We estimate that 8300 million metric tons (Mt) as of virgin plastics have been produced to date. As of 2015, approximately 6300 Mt of plastic waste had been generated, around 9% of which had been recycled, 12% was incinerated, and 79% was accumulated in landfills or the natural environment. If current production and waste management trends continue, roughly 12,000 Mt of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050.
7,707 citations
TL;DR: Global plastics production and the accumulation of plastic waste are documented, showing that trends in mega- and macro-plastic accumulation rates are no longer uniformly increasing and that the average size of plastic particles in the environment seems to be decreasing.
Abstract: One of the most ubiquitous and long-lasting recent changes to the surface of our planet is the accumulation and fragmentation of plastics. Within just a few decades since mass production of plastic...
4,044 citations
Book•
01 Nov 1992
TL;DR: In this article, the binding energy scale for sample charging curve fitting lineshapes shake-up structure valence bands impurities x-ray degradation organization of the database list of polymers and acronyms the database appendix 1 - primary C 1s shifts appendix 2 - secondary C 1 s shifts appendix 3.1 - 0 1s binding energies in CHO polymers appendix 4 - N 1 s binding energies appendix 5 - F 1 S binding energies and spin-orbit constants for core-line doublets apendix 7 - binding energies of peaks appearing in the valence band region
Abstract: Description of the spectrometer x-ray source monochromator electron lens hemispherical analyser multichannel detector sample analysis chamber charge compensation performance on conducting samples performance on insulating samples performance on testing of the spectrometer experimental protocol sample mounting data acquisition correction of binding energy scale for sample charging curve fitting lineshapes shake-up structure valence bands impurities x-ray degradation organization of the database list of polymers and acronyms the database appendix 1 - primary C 1s shifts appendix 2 - secondary C 1s shifts appendix 3.1 - 0 1s binding energies in CHO polymers appendix 3.2 - 0 1s binding energies in other polymers appendix 4 - N 1s binding energies appendix 5 - F 1s binding energies appendix 6 - binding energies and spin-orbit constants for core-line doublets apendix 7 - binding energies of peaks appearing in the valence band region.
2,395 citations
TL;DR: The most widely used technique for atomic-resolution force microscopy in vacuum is frequency-modulation AFM (FM-AFM), as well as other dynamic methods as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: This article reviews the progress of atomic force microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum, starting with its invention and covering most of the recent developments. Today, dynamic force microscopy allows us to image surfaces of conductors and insulators in vacuum with atomic resolution. The most widely used technique for atomic-resolution force microscopy in vacuum is frequency-modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM). This technique, as well as other dynamic methods, is explained in detail in this article. In the last few years many groups have expanded the empirical knowledge and deepened our theoretical understanding of frequency-modulation atomic force microscopy. Consequently spatial resolution and ease of use have been increased dramatically. Vacuum atomic force microscopy opens up new classes of experiments, ranging from imaging of insulators with true atomic resolution to the measurement of forces between individual atoms.
1,948 citations