Sanitär- und Kommunaltechnik; Umwelttechnik
Filtern
Dokumenttyp
- Zeitschriftenartikel (4) (entfernen)
Sprache
- Englisch (4)
Referierte Publikation
- ja (4)
Schlagworte
- Flame retardancy (2)
- Charring (1)
- EVA (1)
- Enzymatic degradation (1)
- Epoxy resin (1)
- Fire protection (1)
- Flame retardant (1)
- Insects (1)
- Leather waste (1)
- Organophosphonate (1)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
Paper des Monats
- ja (1)
Investigation of the Thermal Stability of Proteinase K for the Melt Processing of Poly(L‑lactide)
(2022)
The enzymatic degradation of aliphatic polyesters offers unique opportunities for various use cases in materials science. Although evidently desirable, the implementation of enzymes in technical applications of polyesters is generally challenging due to the thermal lability of enzymes. To prospectively overcome this intrinsic limitation, we here explored the thermal stability of proteinase K at conditions applicable for polymer melt processing, given that this hydrolytic enzyme is well established for its ability to degrade poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). Using assorted spectroscopic methods and enzymatic assays, we investigated the effects of high temperatures on the structure and specific activity of proteinase K. Whereas in solution, irreversible unfolding occurred at temperatures above 75−80 °C, in the dry, bulk state, proteinase K withstood prolonged incubation at elevated temperatures. Unexpectedly little activity loss occurred during incubation at up to 130 °C, and intermediate levels of catalytic activity were preserved at up to 150 °C. The resistance of bulk proteinase K to thermal treatment was slightly enhanced by absorption into polyacrylamide (PAM) particles. Under these conditions, after 5 min at a temperature of 200 °C, which is required for the melt processing of PLLA, proteinase K was not completely denatured but retained around 2% enzymatic activity. Our findings reveal that the thermal processing of proteinase K in the dry state is principally feasible, but equally, they also identify needs and prospects for improvement. The experimental pipeline we establish for proteinase K analysis stands to benefit efforts directed to this end. More broadly, our work sheds light on enzymatically degradable polymers and the thermal processing of enzymes, which are of increasing economical and societal relevance.
Material solutions that meet both circular bioeconomy policies and high technical requirements have become a matter of particular interest. In this work, a prospectively abundant proteinrich waste resource for the manufacturing of flame-retardant epoxy biocomposites, as well as for the synthesis of biobased flame retardants or adjuvants, is introduced. Different biomass fillers sourced from the cultivation of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor are embedded in a bioepoxy resin cured with tannic acid and investigated regarding the fire performance of the thermosets. By means of spectroscopic and thermal analysis (attenuated total reflectance FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis-coupled FTIR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry), the influence of the biomass microparticles on the curing and thermal degradation behavior is evaluated. The final performance of the biocomposites is assessed based on fire testing methodology (limited oxygen index, UL-94, and cone calorimetry). Providing a high charring efficiency in the specific tannic acid-based epoxy matrix, the protein-rich adult beetle is further investigated in combination with commercial environmentally benign flame retardants in view of its potential as an adjuvant. The results highlight a char forming effect of nonvegan fillers in the presence of tannic acid, particularly during thermal decomposition, and point toward the potential of protein-based flame retardants from industrial insect rearing for future formulations.
Leather is among the most ancient, widely used materials worldwide. Industrial-scale leather production produces large quantities of organic waste attained during shaving and buffing steps during processing. In this study, leather wastes (LW) are used as fillers in flame retarded polymer composites. LW is investigated as a multifunctional bio-filler that enhances the fire performance of flame retarded poly(ethylene–vinyl acetate) (EVA) containing phosphorus flame retardants (P-FRs) ammonium polyphosphate (APP) or a melamine-encapsulated APP (eAPP). Using LW from tanneries as adjuvants to enhance P-FRs in EVA reduces industrial wastes that otherwise require costly waste management solutions. Materials are characterized multi-methodically via mechanical tests, electron microscopy, rheology, thermogravimetric analysis, evolved gas analysis, and condensed phase FTIR, also reaction-to-small-flames and cone calorimeter tests. EVA containing 10 wt-% LW and 20 wt-% P-FRs achieve 20% reductions in fire loads versus EVA, and up to 10% reduction in effective heats of combustion versus EVA with equal (30 wt-%) P-FR loadings. Enhanced char stabilization of EVA composites with LW and P-FRs lowered peaks of heat release rates up to 53% compared to EVA, and up to 40% compared to equal P-FRs loadings. Synergisms between LW and P-FRs in EVA are quantified. A chemical decomposition mechanism is proposed.
Recycling of crosslinked fiber-reinforced polymers is difficult. Moreover, as they are often based on flammable resins, additional additives are needed. So-called “vitrimers” open the possibility of Recycling and reprocessing and repairing with dynamically crosslinked chemistries. To date, vitrimer-based composites still need flame retardant additives, such as organophosphates. An additive-free vitrimer composite has not been reported. Herein, we synthesized an intrinsic flame-retardant vitrimer, relying on vinylogous polyurethanes containing covalently installed phosphonates as flame-retardant units and prepared glassfiber-reinforced composites. We studied recycling and flame retardant properties and compared the data to phosphorus-free vitrimers and conventional epoxy resins (with and without additive flame retardant).
Our phosphonate-based vitrimer proved in first tests, a flame retardant effect comparable to commercial flame retardant resins. The bending strength and bending modulus for the phosphorus-vitrimer glass fiber composites were comparable to glass fiber composites with permanently cross-linked epoxies. In summary, we were able to prove that the covalent installation of phosphonates into vitrimers allows the preparation of recyclable and intrinsic flame retardant composites that do not need flame retardant additives. We believe this concept can be expanded to other polymer networks and additives to generate recyclable and sustainable high-performance materials.