The addition of nanoparticles into polymeric matrices commonly results in polymers performance improvements. From an environmental point of view, it can be doubly advantageous: first, thanks to superior specific properties of the nanocomposites, a significant plastic savings could be realized; second, petroleum-based polymers could be replaced by sustainable nanocomposites made by bioplastics or recycled plastics. However, due to the intrinsic environmental charge of nanoparticles, sustainability of recycled polymer- and biopolymer- based nanocomposites is a controversial issue. Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) is valuable instrument to determine the actual environmental impact of "green" polymers, from their production to the end of life. A review of studies focusing on life-cycle assessment of polymeric nanocomposites and their different building blocks is here presented. From this study emerged recycled or bioderived polymer matrices are less advantageous than expected, and nanoparticles, notwithstanding their low content, have a notable environmental impact. Indeed, the production of common nanofillers (except organo-clays and graphene-derivatives) is highly energy-consuming and generates considerable amounts of detrimental greenhouse gas. A way to overtake these hurdles is to strongly improve polymer nanocomposites performance and move on the way of material saving. Unexpectedly, increasing the nanoparticles content or enhancing their dispersion by an effective functionalization, can lead to environmental benefits.
L'aggiunta di nanoparticelle in matrici polimeriche si traduce comunemente in miglioramenti delle prestazioni dei polimeri. Da un punto di vista ambientale può essere doppiamente vantaggioso: in primo luogo, grazie alle proprietà specifiche superiori dei nanocompositi, si potrebbe realizzare un notevole risparmio di plastica; in secondo luogo, i polimeri a base di petrolio potrebbero essere sostituiti da nanocompositi sostenibili realizzati con bioplastiche o plastica riciclata.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies on environmental sustainability of polymer nanocomposites based on bioderived or recycled plastics.
Andrea A Scamporrino
2021
Abstract
The addition of nanoparticles into polymeric matrices commonly results in polymers performance improvements. From an environmental point of view, it can be doubly advantageous: first, thanks to superior specific properties of the nanocomposites, a significant plastic savings could be realized; second, petroleum-based polymers could be replaced by sustainable nanocomposites made by bioplastics or recycled plastics. However, due to the intrinsic environmental charge of nanoparticles, sustainability of recycled polymer- and biopolymer- based nanocomposites is a controversial issue. Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) is valuable instrument to determine the actual environmental impact of "green" polymers, from their production to the end of life. A review of studies focusing on life-cycle assessment of polymeric nanocomposites and their different building blocks is here presented. From this study emerged recycled or bioderived polymer matrices are less advantageous than expected, and nanoparticles, notwithstanding their low content, have a notable environmental impact. Indeed, the production of common nanofillers (except organo-clays and graphene-derivatives) is highly energy-consuming and generates considerable amounts of detrimental greenhouse gas. A way to overtake these hurdles is to strongly improve polymer nanocomposites performance and move on the way of material saving. Unexpectedly, increasing the nanoparticles content or enhancing their dispersion by an effective functionalization, can lead to environmental benefits.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
