Polymers

Editorial

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1 pages, 139 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue—“Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy”

by Maya Jacob John and Sabu Thomas

Polymers 2022, 14(18), 3887; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14183887 - 17 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1137

Abstract

Bio-based materials have a significant role to play in the implementation of a functional circular economy [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

Research

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13 pages, 3817 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Properties of Bio-Based Attapulgite Copolymer (BAC) Sand-Fixing Material

by Han Wang, Rui Zhao, Xiangci Wu, Dan Zhao, Hua Xue, Yuxin Zhang, Nan Dai, Dan Song, Mengling Zhang and Hui Ding

Polymers 2023, 15(2), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020265 - 4 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1290

Abstract

Desertification, one of the world’s most pressing serious environmental problems, poses a serious threat to human survival as well as to social, economic, and political development. Nevertheless, the development of environmentally friendly sand-fixing materials is still a tremendous challenge for preventing desertification. This [...] Read more.

Desertification, one of the world’s most pressing serious environmental problems, poses a serious threat to human survival as well as to social, economic, and political development. Nevertheless, the development of environmentally friendly sand-fixing materials is still a tremendous challenge for preventing desertification. This study developed a bio-based attapulgite copolymer (BAC) by grafting copolymerization of attapulgite, starch, sulfomethyl lignin, and biological mycelia. Water retention, anti-water erosion, and anti-wind erosion tests were conducted to assess the application performance of the BAC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was then employed to determine the morphology of the attapulgite and attapulgite graft copolymer sand-fixing material (CSF). The intermolecular interactions in CSF were revealed using Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR). The role of sand-fixing materials on soil physicochemical properties and seed germination was then discussed based on the germination rate experiments, and 16S rDNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the differences in microbial communities in each sample group. The results demonstrated that the BAC not only has superior application properties and significantly increased seed germination (95%), but also promotes soil development by regulating the structure of the soil microbial community. This work provides novel insights into the design of sand-fixing material for preventing desertification while improving soil fertility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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25 pages, 61699 KiB

Open AccessArticle

3D Printing Parameter Optimization Using Taguchi Approach to Examine Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) Mechanical Properties

by Abdul Zubar Hameed, Sakthivel Aravind Raj, Jayakrishna Kandasamy, Muhammad Atif Shahzad and Majed Abubakr Baghdadi

Polymers 2022, 14(16), 3256; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14163256 - 10 Aug 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2577

Abstract

Polymer composites with different reinforcements have many applications. By adjusting process settings and adding fibers and fillers, composite properties can be improved. Additive manufacturing is popular in the polymer industry because it can manufacture intricately designed parts with fewer defects and greater strength [...] Read more.

Polymer composites with different reinforcements have many applications. By adjusting process settings and adding fibers and fillers, composite properties can be improved. Additive manufacturing is popular in the polymer industry because it can manufacture intricately designed parts with fewer defects and greater strength with less material consumption. Composites use thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers. Thermoset plastics cannot be reused or recycled; therefore, they are disposed in landfills, creating pollution and environmental harm. In this work, thermoplastic ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) polymer filament is used for FDM 3D printing. The specimens are made by varying five process parameters that affected the materials’ mechanical properties. The tensile, flexural and impact specimens are made using MINITAB software and ASTM requirements. The L18 orthogonal array experimental design, specimens and results were optimized. Infill density and layer height were most influential. Maximum tensile strength of 51.86 MPa, flexural strength of 82.56 MPa and impact strength of 0.180 J/mm² were obtained by following the software-suggested input factors and compared with the predicted values. Final error percentage was obtained between the predicted and the experimental results and it was found to be under 3%, which is acceptable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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19 pages, 3457 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Prosopis Juliflora Thorns on Mechanical Properties of Plastic Waste Reinforced Epoxy Composites

by Sakthi Balan Ganapathy, Aravind Raj Sakthivel, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan, Farah Syazwani Shahar, Ain Umaira Md Shah, Tabrej Khan and Tamer A. Sebaey

Polymers 2022, 14(7), 1278; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14071278 - 22 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2094

Abstract

Plastics are unavoidable at this times, putting our planet in danger. The Prosopis juliflora (PJ) thorns are collected, processed, and powdered. The mechanical characteristics of these powders are examined when combined with polymer composites. Pores are the main cause of moisture input, hence [...] Read more.

Plastics are unavoidable at this times, putting our planet in danger. The Prosopis juliflora (PJ) thorns are collected, processed, and powdered. The mechanical characteristics of these powders are examined when combined with polymer composites. Pores are the main cause of moisture input, hence using powder filler materials reduces the number of pores in the composite, increasing water resistance. The composites are made by altering three parameters: waste plastic content, filler powder composition, and chemical treatment. It was discovered that the integration of thorn powder increased the wear resistance. The composites were tested in accordance with ASTM standards, and the results were optimized. Based on the results, composite specimens were created and tested for validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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15 pages, 4662 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Fly Ash Geopolymer/Sugarcane Bagasse Ash Composites

by Nattapong Chuewangkam, Theeranuch Nachaithong, Narong Chanlek, Prasit Thongbai and Supree Pinitsoontorn

Polymers 2022, 14(6), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14061140 - 12 Mar 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2912

Abstract

Fly ash (FA) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) are the wastes from lignite power plants and sugar industries, usually disposed of as landfills. In this research, these wastes were effectively utilized as a construction material, namely geopolymer. The effect of the SCBA (0–40 [...] Read more.

Fly ash (FA) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) are the wastes from lignite power plants and sugar industries, usually disposed of as landfills. In this research, these wastes were effectively utilized as a construction material, namely geopolymer. The effect of the SCBA (0–40 wt.%) addition to the FA geopolymers was investigated. The compressive strength of the FA geopolymers was reduced with the SCBA addition. The reduction was mainly due to the presence of the highly stable and non-reactive quartz (SiO₂) phase in SCBA. The SCBA was not dissolved in the alkaline activated solution and hence did not contribute to the geopolymerization process. The unreacted SCBA particles remained in the geopolymer matrix but did not provide strength. However, if the amount of SCBA was about 10 wt.% or less, the impact on the characteristics and properties of FA geopolymers was minimal. Furthermore, this research also studied the dielectric properties of the FA geopolymer/SCBA composites. The relatively large dielectric constant (ε′ = 3.6 × 10³) was found for the pristine geopolymer. The addition of SCBA decreased the ε′ slightly due to high carbon content in SCBA. Nevertheless, the variation in ε′ was mainly controlled by the geopolymerization process to form the aluminosilicate gel structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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14 pages, 3801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Suberin Fatty Acid Hydrolysates from Outer Birch Bark for Hydrophobic Coating on Aspen Wood Surface

by Anuj Kumar, Risto Korpinen, Veikko Möttönen and Erkki Verkasalo

Polymers 2022, 14(4), 832; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040832 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3020

Abstract

Bark extracts are sustainable sources of biopolymers and have great potential to replace fossil-based polymers in wood coating applications. The present study investigated the applicability of suberin fatty acids hydrolysate (SFA) extracted from the outer bark of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) [...] Read more.

Bark extracts are sustainable sources of biopolymers and have great potential to replace fossil-based polymers in wood coating applications. The present study investigated the applicability of suberin fatty acids hydrolysate (SFA) extracted from the outer bark of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) for coating of aspen wood (Populus tremula L.). The SFA combined with maleic anhydride (MA) and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) as a curing agent was prepared in ethanol and used in surface coating. The water contact angle, surface reflectance spectra, FTIR, and SEM-EDS were used to characterize the physical and chemical properties of the coated wood samples. Further, the long-term stability of the SFA coating was analyzed via artificial aging. The wood surface became hydrophobic, as the contact angle for the water droplet (WCA) was over ~120°, and was stable for all of the prepared combinations of SFA, MA, and OTS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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15 pages, 2808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Characterization of Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Flour-Based Biopolymer Films Reinforced with Plantain Fibers

by Ramiro Venegas, Andres Torres, Ana M. Rueda, Maria A. Morales, Mary J. Arias and Alicia Porras

Polymers 2022, 14(4), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040748 - 15 Feb 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4139

Abstract

Agroindustrial wastes are a cheap and abundant source of natural fibers and macromolecules that can be used in the manufacturing of biocomposites. This study presents the development and thermo-mechanical characterization of a bio-composite film (TPF/PF), made of thermoplastic banana flour (TPF) matrix and [...] Read more.

Agroindustrial wastes are a cheap and abundant source of natural fibers and macromolecules that can be used in the manufacturing of biocomposites. This study presents the development and thermo-mechanical characterization of a bio-composite film (TPF/PF), made of thermoplastic banana flour (TPF) matrix and plantain fibers (PF). Fabricated materials were characterized by physical analysis, chemical composition, Fourier-transformed spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA), mechanical analysis, and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The physical analysis showed that TPF and PF have a low density and high affinity to water resulting in a lightweight, renewable, and biodegradable TPF/PF composite. The chemical composition and spectra analysis of the fiber showed that PF is a potential candidate for reinforcing composites due to its high α-cellulose and low lignin content. The thermal analysis determined that TPF degrades at a lower temperature than PF, therefore the matrix sets the processing temperature for TPF/PF composite films. The mechanical test showed an improvement in the tensile properties of the composite in comparison to neat TPF. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus were improved by 345% and 1196%, respectively, when PF fibers was used. Good bonding and mechanical interlocking of PF to the TPF were identified by SEM. Therefore, potential biocomposites can be developed using natural fibers and thermoplastic starches obtained from plantain agroindustrial wastes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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11 pages, 4121 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Effects of Tobacco Lignin on Polypropylene

by Irfan Tahir, John Rapinac, Abdulaziz Abutunis and Venkata Gireesh Menta

Polymers 2022, 14(4), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040706 - 12 Feb 2022

Viewed by 1603

Abstract

The utilization of eco-friendly materials, such as lignin, for higher value product applications became increasingly important as environmental concerns due to global warming increased. Melt blending is one of the easy ways to increase the usage of lignin in commercial applications. However, the [...] Read more.

The utilization of eco-friendly materials, such as lignin, for higher value product applications became increasingly important as environmental concerns due to global warming increased. Melt blending is one of the easy ways to increase the usage of lignin in commercial applications. However, the degradation of the final product performance and increase in the production time and costs are of major concern. In the current work, the effects of blending lignin, extracted from tobacco plants, with polypropylene (PP) on the injection molding parameters, physical, thermal and mechanical properties are investigated. Blends of lignin (5, 15 and 30% by wt.) with PP were prepared using a Filabot single screw extruder. Results show that tensile strength decreases by 3.2%, 9.9% and 5.4% at 5 wt. %, 15 wt. %, and 30 wt. % of lignin addition, respectively. The tensile stiffness was almost unaffected by the addition of up to 15% lignin, but a 23% increase was observed at 30 wt. % loading. When compared to lignin processed via expensive processes, such as acetylation, tobacco lignin showed superior performance. The DSC results show unaffected crystallization and melting temperatures but a decrease in enthalpies and percentage of crystallinity. The SEM and optical micrographs of the coupon cross-sections show that the extrusion process has achieved a uniform distribution of lignin particles in the PP. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that tobacco lignin accelerates the onset decomposition temperature but does not influence the decomposition peak temperature. The increase in lignin content did not have a significant influence on the injection molding parameters, implying no additional processing costs for adding lignin to the PP. Overall, the performance of the tobacco lignin is comparable, if not better, than that of processed lignin reported in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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12 pages, 18130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Esterification of Cellulose with Long Fatty Acid Chain through Mechanochemical Method

by Jacqueline Lease, Tessei Kawano and Yoshito Andou

Polymers 2021, 13(24), 4397; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244397 - 15 Dec 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5570

Abstract

Mechanochemical reaction, a green synthetic esterification route was utilized to prepare long-chain cellulose esters from microcrystalline cellulose. The influence of reaction conditions such as reaction temperature and time were elucidated. Only low dosage of oleic acid, 1-butyl-3-metylimidazolium acetate, and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride were [...] Read more.

Mechanochemical reaction, a green synthetic esterification route was utilized to prepare long-chain cellulose esters from microcrystalline cellulose. The influence of reaction conditions such as reaction temperature and time were elucidated. Only low dosage of oleic acid, 1-butyl-3-metylimidazolium acetate, and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride were required. The success of modification reaction was confirmed by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy as a new absorbance peak at 1731 cm⁻¹ was observed, which indicated the formation of carbonyl group (C=O). Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance was also performed to determine the structural property and degree of substitution (DS) of the cellulose oleate. Based on the results, increasing reaction temperature and reaction time promoted the esterification reaction and DS. DS values of cellulose oleates slightly decreased after 12 h reaction time. Besides, X-ray diffraction analysis showed the broadening of the diffraction peaks and thermal stability decreased after esterification. Hence, the findings suggested that grafting of oleic acid’s aliphatic chain onto the cellulose backbone lowered the crystallinity and thermal stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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14 pages, 4581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physicomechanical Properties of Rice Husk/Coco Peat Reinforced Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blend Composites

by Nurul Haziatul Ain Norhasnan, Mohamad Zaki Hassan, Ariff Farhan Mohd Nor, S. A. Zaki, Rozzeta Dolah, Khairur Rijal Jamaludin and Sa’ardin Abdul Aziz

Polymers 2021, 13(7), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13071171 - 6 Apr 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3779

Abstract

Utilizing agro-waste material such as rice husk (RH) and coco peat (CP) reinforced with thermoplastic resin to produce low-cost green composites is a fascinating discovery. In this study, the effectiveness of these blended biocomposites was evaluated for their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. [...] Read more.

Utilizing agro-waste material such as rice husk (RH) and coco peat (CP) reinforced with thermoplastic resin to produce low-cost green composites is a fascinating discovery. In this study, the effectiveness of these blended biocomposites was evaluated for their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Initially, the samples were fabricated by using a combination of melt blend internal mixer and injection molding techniques. Increasing in RH content increased the coupons density. However, it reduced the water vapor kinetics sorption of the biocomposite. Moisture absorption studies disclosed that water uptake was significantly increased with the increase of coco peat (CP) filler. It showed that the mechanical properties, including tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength of the 15% RH—5% CP reinforced acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), gave the highest value. Results also revealed that all RH/CP filled composites exhibited a brittle fracture manner. Observation on the tensile morphology surfaces by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) affirmed the above finding to be satisfactory. Therefore, it can be concluded that blend-agriculture waste reinforced ABS biocomposite can be exploited as a biodegradable material for short life engineering application where good mechanical and thermal properties are paramount. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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15 pages, 5626 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphology, Structural, Thermal, and Tensile Properties of Bamboo Microcrystalline Cellulose/Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(Butylene Succinate) Composites

by Masrat Rasheed, Mohammad Jawaid, Bisma Parveez, Aamir Hussain Bhat and Salman Alamery

Polymers 2021, 13(3), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13030465 - 1 Feb 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4077

Abstract

The present study aims to develop a biodegradable polymer blend that is environmentally friendly and has comparable tensile and thermal properties with synthetic plastics. In this work, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) extracted from bamboo-chips-reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) blend [...] Read more.

The present study aims to develop a biodegradable polymer blend that is environmentally friendly and has comparable tensile and thermal properties with synthetic plastics. In this work, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) extracted from bamboo-chips-reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) blend composites were fabricated by melt-mixing at 180 °C and then hot pressing at 180 °C. PBS and MCC (0.5, 1, 1.5 wt%) were added to improve the brittle nature of PLA. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermogravimetry (DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)), and universal testing machine were used to analyze morphology, crystallinity, physiochemical, thermal, and tensile properties, respectively. The thermal stability of the PLA-PBS blends enhanced on addition of MCC up to 1wt % due to their uniform dispersion in the polymer matrix. Tensile properties declined on addition of PBS and increased with MCC above (0.5 wt%) however except elongation at break increased on addition of PBS then decreased insignificantly on addition of MCC. Thus, PBS and MCC addition in PLA matrix decreases the brittleness, making it a potential contender that could be considered to replace plastics that are used for food packaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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11 pages, 4571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose Isolated from Conocarpus Fiber

by H. Fouad, Lau Kia Kian, Mohammad Jawaid, Majed D. Alotaibi, Othman Y. Alothman and Mohamed Hashem

Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2926; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12122926 - 7 Dec 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3339

Abstract

Conocarpus fiber is an abundantly available and sustainable cellulosic biomass. With its richness in cellulose content, it is potentially used for manufacturing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a cellulose derivative product with versatile industrial applications. In this work, different samples of bleached fiber (CPBLH), alkali-treated [...] Read more.

Conocarpus fiber is an abundantly available and sustainable cellulosic biomass. With its richness in cellulose content, it is potentially used for manufacturing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a cellulose derivative product with versatile industrial applications. In this work, different samples of bleached fiber (CPBLH), alkali-treated fiber (CPAKL), and acid-treated fiber (CPMCC) were produced from Conocarpus through integrated chemical process of bleaching, alkaline cooking, and acid hydrolysis, respectively. Characterizations of samples were carried out with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared-Ray (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). From morphology study, the bundle fiber feature of CPBLH disintegrated into micro-size fibrils of CPMCC, showing the amorphous compounds were substantially removed through chemical depolymerization. Meanwhile, the elemental analysis also proved that the traces of impurities such as cations and anions were successfully eliminated from CPMCC. The CPMCC also gave a considerably high yield of 27%, which endowed it with great sustainability in acting as alternative biomass for MCC production. Physicochemical analysis revealed the existence of crystalline cellulose domain in CPMCC had contributed it 75.7% crystallinity. In thermal analysis, CPMCC had stable decomposition behavior comparing to CPBLH and CPAKL fibers. Therefore, Conocarpus fiber could be a promising candidate for extracting MCC with excellent properties in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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Review

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34 pages, 12514 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chitosan: A Sustainable Material for Multifarious Applications

by Abdul Zubar Hameed, Sakthivel Aravind Raj, Jayakrishna Kandasamy, Majed Abubakr Baghdadi and Muhammad Atif Shahzad

Polymers 2022, 14(12), 2335; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122335 - 9 Jun 2022

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5758

Abstract

Due to the versatility of its features and capabilities, chitosan generated from marine crustacean waste is gaining importance and appeal in a wide variety of applications. It was initially used in pharmaceutical and medical applications due to its antibacterial, biocompatible, and biodegradable properties. [...] Read more.

Due to the versatility of its features and capabilities, chitosan generated from marine crustacean waste is gaining importance and appeal in a wide variety of applications. It was initially used in pharmaceutical and medical applications due to its antibacterial, biocompatible, and biodegradable properties. However, as the demand for innovative materials with environmentally benign properties has increased, the application range of chitosan has expanded, and it is now used in a variety of everyday applications. The most exciting aspect of the chitosan is its bactericidal properties against pathogens, which are prevalent in contaminated water and cause a variety of human ailments. Apart from antimicrobial and water filtration applications, chitosan is used in dentistry, in water filtration membranes to remove metal ions and some heavy metals from industrial effluents, in microbial fuel cell membranes, and in agriculture to maintain moisture in fruits and leaves. It is also used in skin care products and cosmetics as a moisturizer, in conjunction with fertilizer to boost plant immunity, and as a bi-adhesive for bonding woods and metals. As it has the capacity to increase the life span of food items and raw meat, it is an unavoidable component in food packing and preservation. The numerous applications of chitosan are reviewed in this brief study, as well as the approaches used to incorporate chitosan alongside traditional materials and its effect on the outputs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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32 pages, 2852 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Towards a Circular Economy of Plastics: An Evaluation of the Systematic Transition to a New Generation of Bioplastics

by Elda M. Melchor-Martínez, Rodrigo Macías-Garbett, Lynette Alvarado-Ramírez, Rafael G. Araújo, Juan Eduardo Sosa-Hernández, Diana Ramírez-Gamboa, Lizeth Parra-Arroyo, Abraham Garza Alvarez, Rosina Paola Benavides Monteverde, Karen Aleida Salazar Cazares, Adriana Reyes-Mayer, Mauricio Yáñez Lino, Hafiz M. N. Iqbal and Roberto Parra-Saldívar

Polymers 2022, 14(6), 1203; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14061203 - 17 Mar 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 15198

Abstract

Plastics have become an essential part of the modern world thanks to their appealing physical and chemical properties as well as their low production cost. The most common type of polymers used for plastic account for 90% of the total production and are [...] Read more.

Plastics have become an essential part of the modern world thanks to their appealing physical and chemical properties as well as their low production cost. The most common type of polymers used for plastic account for 90% of the total production and are made from petroleum-based nonrenewable resources. Concerns over the sustainability of the current production model and the environmental implications of traditional plastics have fueled the demand for greener formulations and alternatives. In the last decade, new plastics manufactured from renewable sources and biological processes have emerged from research and have been established as a commercially viable solution with less adverse effects. Nevertheless, economic and legislative challenges for biobased plastics hinder their widespread implementation. This review summarizes the history of plastics over the last century, including the most relevant bioplastics and production methods, the environmental impact and mitigation of the adverse effects of conventional and emerging plastics, and the regulatory landscape that renewable and recyclable bioplastics face to reach a sustainable future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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16 pages, 1787 KiB

Open AccessReview

Alginate-Induced Disease Resistance in Plants

by Roohallah Saberi Riseh, Mozhgan Gholizadeh Vazvani, Marzieh Ebrahimi-Zarandi and Yury A. Skorik

Polymers 2022, 14(4), 661; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040661 - 9 Feb 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3797

Abstract

Plants are continuously exposed to a wide range of pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses; therefore, survival under these conditions requires a sophisticated defense system. The activation of defense responses and related signals in plants is regulated mainly by the hormones salicylic [...] Read more.

Plants are continuously exposed to a wide range of pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses; therefore, survival under these conditions requires a sophisticated defense system. The activation of defense responses and related signals in plants is regulated mainly by the hormones salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene. Resistance to pathogen infection can be induced in plants by various biotic and abiotic agents. For many years, the use of abiotic plant resistance inducers has been considered in integrated disease management programs. Recently, natural inducer compounds, such as alginates, have become a focus of interest due to their environmentally friendly nature and their ability to stimulate plant defense mechanisms and enhance growth. Polysaccharides and the oligosaccharides derived from them are examples of eco-compatible compounds that can enhance plant growth while also inducing plant resistance against pathogens and triggering the expression of the salicylic acid-dependent defense pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy)

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