Valorization of seashell waste in polypropylene composites: An accessible solution to overcome marine landfilling. (5th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cangiotti, Jacopo; Scatto, Marco; Araya-Hermosilla, Esteban; Micheletti, Cosimo; Crivellari, Diego; Balloni, Alice; Pucci, Andrea; Benedetti, Alvise
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 162(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01-05
• Subjects: Seashell waste -- Marine landfilling -- Polypropylene composites -- Thermo-mechanical properties; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110877
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Waste shells were used as a bio-filler in polymeric composites. Powders of mussels and clams shells were obtained by a chemo-mechanical procedure. PP composites were prepared by with a Lab Scale Corotating Twin Screw Extruder. Comparable thermomechanical properties with PP filled by traditional CaCO3 fillers. PP composites showed enhanced solar reflectivity and cooling characteristics. Abstract: Waste mussel (Mytilus galloprovencis) and clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) shells can be used as a bio-filler in polymeric composites. In this work, powdered shell wastes were incorporated into a polypropylene (PP) matrix. The powdered shell wastes were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). DSC analysis of the PP composites indicates that both fillers did not act as nucleating agents but partially interfere with the formation of the crystalline phase of the polymer matrix. Moreover, by increasing the filler content, the elastic modulus of PP enhanced from ∼450 to ∼510 MPa. Finally, it was evidenced that mussels and clams shell powders enhanced the solar reflectance features of PP.