دانلود رایگان مقاله انگلیسی فن آوری پیشرفت پلیمرها و پلیمرهای کامپوزیت نسبت به پایداری - الزویر 2018

Abstract

It is reported that plastic waste is accumulating in the oceans at an alarming rate. A significant proportion of this waste is plastic packaging materials, even though recycling routes and options are available to retain and reuse this oil-based resource. In addition to thermoplastic materials, fibre reinforced polymer materials are finding increased use and soon will become a concern with respect to disposal. This review presents current research and technology that aims to embrace plastics and polymer composites into a circular economy. The benefits and challenges associated with polymer recycling are highlighted, not least being the strategies required to encourage industry and society to recycle resources rather than dispose and renew.

Conclusions

The global volumes of plastic waste recycled could be significantly increased just by applying the recycling technologies already available. However there are insufficient incentives (financial gain or market advantages) to encourage industry to increase recycling activities. Although legislation could change the recycling landscape another limiting factor impacting recycling is the design and use of multi-component plastic structures. Primary recycling is difficult with multi-layer bottles/packaging, and downgrading is inevitable, preventing multiple recycling of such products. Therefore to maximise re-use of plastics either manufacturers need to confine their products to single component plastics (maximising recyclability), or industry needs to develop methods to separate the components from the multi-layer structures. Current composites recycling technologies could provide the required strategies – as one route for composite recycling requires the plastic component to be ‘solubilised’. Of course the missing element is the separation of different plastic ‘monomers’ and then the re-polymerisation.