Properties of Recycled Polyester
13
7.5 Environmental properties
The degradation of plastic materials results in the release of several polyesters such
as polylactic acid, poly-3-hydroxyalkanoate, polybutylene succinate and polycaprolactone. Many of the polyesters found in our environment are capable of degrading
under the presence of some enzymes produced by microorganisms. The enzymatic
degradation of polyesters occurs through chemical processes such as hydrolysis,
depolymerisation and conversion into CO 2 and H 2 O. One of the main limitation in
the enzymatic degradation of the polyesters is the less occurrence of these polyester
degrading bacteria [25].
8 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
This chapter elaborates about the recycled properties and their unique properties
such as mechanical, thermal and sound absorption properties. There is a tremendous
chance to demonstrate the reusing procedure and increment consistency of it, for
that inline atomic weight and carboxyl end-bunch content assurance would help as
a delicate sensor. The rheological studies should be developed for effective segregation of the polyesters according to the color and type of material, in addition, this
study helps in understanding the nucleation process. The effective segregation of the
polyesters depending on the color enhances the recycling capability of the polyesters.
The implementation of more sophisticated instrumentation for characterization studies helps in studying the properties of the recycled polyesters. The special sensors
should be implemented to determine the contaminants, moisture content and coloring agents which reduce the effectiveness of the mechanical and thermal properties
of the polyesters.
References
1. Chae Y, An YJ (2018) Current research trends on plastic pollution and ecological impacts on
the soil ecosystem: a review. Environ Pollut 240:387–395
2. Wang M, He Y, Sen B (2019) Research and management of plastic pollution in coastal environments of China. Environ Pollut 248:898–905
3. Nikles DE, Farahat MS (2005) New motivation for the depolymerization products derived from
poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste: a review. Macromol Mater Eng 290:13–30
4. Grigore ME (2017) Methods of recycling, properties and applications of recycled thermoplastic
polymers. Recycling 2:24
5. Liubartseva S, Coppini G, Lecci R (2019) Are mediterranean marine protected areas sheltered
from plastic pollution? Mar Pollut Bull 140:579–587
6. Stafford R, Jones PJS (2019) Viewpoint—Ocean plastic pollution: a convenient but distracting
truth? Marine policy 103:187–191
13
7.5 Environmental properties
The degradation of plastic materials results in the release of several polyesters such
as polylactic acid, poly-3-hydroxyalkanoate, polybutylene succinate and polycaprolactone. Many of the polyesters found in our environment are capable of degrading
under the presence of some enzymes produced by microorganisms. The enzymatic
degradation of polyesters occurs through chemical processes such as hydrolysis,
depolymerisation and conversion into CO 2 and H 2 O. One of the main limitation in
the enzymatic degradation of the polyesters is the less occurrence of these polyester
degrading bacteria [25].
8 Conclusion and Future Perspectives
This chapter elaborates about the recycled properties and their unique properties
such as mechanical, thermal and sound absorption properties. There is a tremendous
chance to demonstrate the reusing procedure and increment consistency of it, for
that inline atomic weight and carboxyl end-bunch content assurance would help as
a delicate sensor. The rheological studies should be developed for effective segregation of the polyesters according to the color and type of material, in addition, this
study helps in understanding the nucleation process. The effective segregation of the
polyesters depending on the color enhances the recycling capability of the polyesters.
The implementation of more sophisticated instrumentation for characterization studies helps in studying the properties of the recycled polyesters. The special sensors
should be implemented to determine the contaminants, moisture content and coloring agents which reduce the effectiveness of the mechanical and thermal properties
of the polyesters.
References
1. Chae Y, An YJ (2018) Current research trends on plastic pollution and ecological impacts on
the soil ecosystem: a review. Environ Pollut 240:387–395
2. Wang M, He Y, Sen B (2019) Research and management of plastic pollution in coastal environments of China. Environ Pollut 248:898–905
3. Nikles DE, Farahat MS (2005) New motivation for the depolymerization products derived from
poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste: a review. Macromol Mater Eng 290:13–30
4. Grigore ME (2017) Methods of recycling, properties and applications of recycled thermoplastic
polymers. Recycling 2:24
5. Liubartseva S, Coppini G, Lecci R (2019) Are mediterranean marine protected areas sheltered
from plastic pollution? Mar Pollut Bull 140:579–587
6. Stafford R, Jones PJS (2019) Viewpoint—Ocean plastic pollution: a convenient but distracting
truth? Marine policy 103:187–191