Glycerolysis of Poly(lactic acid) as a Way to Extend the “Life Cycle” of This Material

Borowicz, Marcin; Paciorek‐Sadowska, Joanna; Isbrandt, Marek; Grzybowski, Łukasz; Czupryński, B.

doi:10.3390/polym11121963

Cited by 17 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Borowicz et al carried out glycerolysis of waste poly(lactic acid) in order to obtain oligomeric polyhydric alcohols. Authors concluded that the chemical structure and other physicochemical properties of the final polyols indicated that they could be an alternative to petrochemical polyols [ 14 ]. Modification of lignin, a by-product in the pulp and paper industry, has also been described in several studies concerning the synthesis of polyols and their use in polyurethane formulations [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of Circular Economy Principles in the Synthesis of Polyurethane Foams

et al. 2020

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The main strategy of the European Commission in the field of the building industry assumes a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% by 2020 and by up to 80% by 2050. In order to meet these conditions, it is necessary to develop not only efficient thermal insulation materials, but also more environmentally friendly ones. This paper describes an experiment in which two types of bio-polyols were obtained using transesterification of used cooking oil with triethanolamine (UCO_TEA) and diethylene glycol (UCO_DEG). The bio-polyols were next used to prepare low-density rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams. It was found that the bio-polyols increased the reactivity of the PUR systems, regardless of their chemical structures. The reactivity of the system modified with 60% of the diethylene glycol-based bio-polyol was higher than in the case of the reference system. The bio-foams exhibited apparent densities of 41–45 kg/m3, homogeneous cellular structures and advantageous values of the coefficient of thermal conductivity. It was observed that the higher functionality of bio-polyol UCO_TEA compared with UCO_DEG had a beneficial effect on the mechanical and thermal properties of the bio-foams. The most promising results were obtained in the case of the foams modified in 60% with the bio-polyol based on triethanoloamine. In conclusion, this approach, utilizing used cooking oil in the synthesis of high-value thermal insulating materials, provides a sustainable municipal waste recycling solution.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of Circular Economy Principles in the Synthesis of Polyurethane Foams

et al. 2020

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“…In turn, the HN of eco-polyol resulted mainly from the use of an equal amount of ethylene glycol in relation to the PLA waste. A large amount of the glycolyzing agent led to obtaining more shorter chains of lactic acid oligomer, while increasing HN of this product [ 6 ]. The acid numbers (AN) of the obtained polyols were 4.2 mg KOH/g for MSA-based polyol and 2 mg KOH g for PLA-based polyol, respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The largest source of polyol raw materials are products derived from processing of crude oil. Current research and technology trends aim to replace them with raw materials of natural origin [ 4 ] or with raw materials obtained as a result of recycling (extending the “life cycle”) [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Such research is carried out in two aspects: replacing components from non-renewable sources with their renewable counterparts and reducing the emission of non-degradable waste into the environment as a result of introducing components that favor their biodegradation [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Use of a Mixture of Polyols Based on Metasilicic Acid and Recycled PLA for Synthesis of Rigid Polyurethane Foams Susceptible to Biodegradation

Paciorek‐Sadowska

Borowicz

Chmiel

et al. 2020

IJMS

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Two polyol raw materials were obtained in the conducted research, one based on metasilicic acid (MSA), the other based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) waste. The obtained polyols were characterized in terms of their applicability for the production of rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs). Their basic analytical properties (hydroxyl number, acid number, elemental analysis) and physicochemical properties (density, viscosity) were determined. The assumed chemical structure of the obtained new compounds was confirmed by performing FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic tests. Formulations for the synthesis of RPUFs were developed on the basis of the obtained research results. A mixture of polyols based on MSA and PLA in a weight ratio of 1:1 was used as the polyol component in the polyurethane formulation. The reference foam in these tests was a foam that was synthesized only on the basis of MSA-polyol. The obtained RPUFs were tested for basic functional properties (apparent density, compressive strength, water absorption, thermal conductivity coefficient etc.). Susceptibility to biodegradation in soil environment was also tested. It was found that the use of mixture of polyols based on MSA and PLA positively affected the properties of the obtained foam. The polyurethane foam based on this polyol mixture showed good thermal resistance and significantly reduced flammability in comparison with the foam based MSA-polyol. Moreover, it showed higher compressive strength, lower thermal conductivity and biodegradability in soil. The results of the conducted tests confirmed that the new foam was characterized by very good performance properties. In addition, this research provides information on new waste management opportunities and fits into the doctrine of sustainable resource management offered by the circular economy.

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“…A previous study performed alcholysis using metal compounds and ionic liquids [ 16 , 17 ]. Disintegration of PLA using organometallic compounds has also been investigated [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. However, these approaches are not suitable for compositing because of the use of chemical compounds, which add to the environmental load.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation of Polylactic Acid Using Sub-Critical Water for Compost

et al. 2020

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Polylactic acid (PLA) is expected to replace many general-purpose plastics, especially those used for food packaging and agricultural mulch. In composting, the degradation speed of PLA is affected by the molecular weight, crystallinity, and microbial activity. PLA with a molecular weight of less than 10,000 has been reported to have higher decomposition rates than those with higher molecular weight. However, PLA degradation generates water-soluble products, including lactic acid, that decrease the pH of soil or compost. As acidification of soil or compost affects farm products, their pH should be controlled. Therefore, a method for determining suitable reaction conditions to achieve ideal decomposition products is necessary. This study aimed to determine suitable reaction conditions for generating preprocessed PLA with a molecular weight lower than 10,000 without producing water-soluble contents. To this end, we investigated the degradation of PLA using sub-critical water. The molecular weight and ratio of water-soluble contents (WSCs) affecting the pH of preprocessed products were evaluated through kinetic analysis, and crystallinity was analyzed through differential scanning calorimetry. Preprocessed PLA was prepared under the determined ideal conditions, and its characteristics in soil were observed. The results showed that the crystallization rate increased with PLA decomposition but remained lower than 30%. In addition, the pH of compost mixed with 40% of preprocessed PLA could be controlled within pH 5.4–5.5 over 90 days. Overall, soil mixed with the preprocessed PLA prepared under the determined ideal conditions remains suitable for plant growth.

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Glycerolysis of Poly(lactic acid) as a Way to Extend the “Life Cycle” of This Material

Cited by 17 publications

References 32 publications

Implementation of Circular Economy Principles in the Synthesis of Polyurethane Foams

Implementation of Circular Economy Principles in the Synthesis of Polyurethane Foams

Use of a Mixture of Polyols Based on Metasilicic Acid and Recycled PLA for Synthesis of Rigid Polyurethane Foams Susceptible to Biodegradation

Degradation of Polylactic Acid Using Sub-Critical Water for Compost

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