Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a conductive silk fibroin material, comprising the steps of: (1) preparation of a high-molecular-weight silk fibroin solution; (2) preparation of an insoluble silk fibroin material; (3) surface treatment of the silk fibroin material; (4) oxidation of the silk fibroin material; and (5) in-situ oxidative polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface of the graft-modified silk fibroin material. In the present invention, a conductive composite film grafted with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene on the surface is prepared, and the surface resistance is 100 to 5000 ohms. The preparation process is simple and mild, and the obtained conductive silk fibroin material can be used as a flexible electronic device, especially as a device for measuring human blood glucose level and heartbeat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel 3-hydroxypropionate-lactate block copolymer [P(3HP-b-LA)], and a method for preparing same, and more specifically, provides a method for preparing a 3-hydroxypropionate-lactate block copolymer, and a 3-hydroxypropionate-lactate block copolymer produced thereby, the method comprising: a first culture step in which, by using recombinant E. coli improved so as to be incapable of biosynthesizing lactic acid, P(3HP) is biosynthesized at the early stage of culturing by having glycerol as a carbon source and through 3-hydroxypropionate-generating genes and an enhanced PHA synthase; and a second culture step in which P(3HP) production is inhibited by using a carbon catabolic repression system for selectively introducing only glucose into E.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for polypropylene decomposition. Also disclosed are products obtained from the decomposition polypropylene including carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, nitro-substituted carboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids; as well as the salts, esters, and anhydrides thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a block copolymer, the method comprising subjecting a lactide monomer to a ring-opening polymerization in the presence of a poly(3-hydroxypropionate) initiator to prepare a polylactide-poly(3-hydroxypropionate)block copolymer.

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) superhydrophobic sheets and a fabrication method using a stream of polypropylene from plastic waste thereof are provided. Superhydrophobic PP sheets of varying thickness having a base layer and a top layer may be fabricated using recycled or waste polypropylene, where the fabrication process uses 20% of total plastic waste to prepare said sheets having contact angles ranging from 140 to 160 degrees. The polypropylene superhydrophobic sheets may impart protective water-repellent properties against the elements.

Abstract: A polyester resin containing: a diol constituent unit containing a unit a1 derived from spiroglycol represented by formula (1) and a unit a2 derived from ethylene glycol; and a dicarboxylic acid constituent unit containing a unit b derived from terephthalic acid and/or an ester thereof. A content of the unit a1 is from 5 to 60 mol % and a content of the unit a2 is from 30 to 95 mol %, based on a total amount of the unit a1 and the unit a2. A content of the unit b is from 80 to 100 mol % based on a total amount of the dicarboxylic acid constituent unit.

Abstract: Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

Abstract: An ester-based elastomer expanded molded article comprising a fusion of expanded particles that contain an ester-based elastomer as a base resin.

Abstract: Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from non-Hevea plants such as guayule shrubs. By the use of the processes, solid purified rubber can be obtained that contains 0.05-0.5 weight % dirt, 0.2-1.5 weight % ash, and 0.1-4 weight % resin (when it has been dried so as to contain 0.8 weight % volatile matter).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for depolymerising oxygenated polymer materials, in particular by nucleophilic catalysis and to the use of said method in the recycling of plastic materials and the preparation of aromatic and aliphatic compounds that can be used as fuel, synthesis intermediates, raw materials in the construction sector, and in the petrochemical, electrical, electronic, textile, aeronautical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agrochemical industry. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing fuels, electronic components, plastic polymers, rubber, medicines, vitamins, cosmetics, perfumes, food products, synthetic yarns and fibres, synthetic leathers, glues, pesticides, fertilisers comprising (i) a step of depolymerisation of oxygenated polymer materials according to the method of the invention and optionally (ii) a step of hydrolysis, and optionally (iii) a step of functionalisation and/or defunctionalisation.

Abstract: Pre-treating a waste polyester material with dichloromethane (DCM) produces a purified polyester for reuse. The purified polyester can be recycled via any chemical or mechanical recycling process. Where the waste polyester material includes non-polyester contaminants, the DCM-treated polyester material produces a slurry that includes the DCM, a solid component that includes a polyester monomer product for reuse, and a waste liquid component where the non-polyester contaminants can be filtered from the top of the liquid component.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes may be utilized for mixing used polyester into a polyester melt. In some processes an intermediate product stream is branched off from an intermediate stage in a virgin polyester production process. The intermediate product stream is then mixed with recycled polyester flakes in a dynamic mixer, where not more than 60% of a melting energy required to melt all the recycled polyester flakes is generated and/or supplied in the dynamic mixer. The mixture produced in this way is fed into a subsequent stage downstream of the intermediate stage and converted up to the desired degree of polycondensation. In this way, it is possible to physically reutilize used polyester or polyester waste.

Abstract: A depolymerization reaction of a polyester input with an organocatalyst and an alcohol solvent produces (i) a recycled monomeric or oligomeric diester from the polyester, (ii) the organocatalyst for reuse, and (iii) the alcohol solvent, which may also be reused. The presence of volatile impurities, such as water, acetyl aldehyde, and organic solvents can interfere with the success of the depolymerization reaction. A pre-reaction distillation step removes volatile impurities from the polyester input resulting in an efficient depolymerization reaction with consistency among batches. The polyester input may be further treated with a water azeotrope to remove water from the polyester input prior to the pre-reaction distillation.

Abstract: A waste polyester material is prepared for recycling by dissolving the material in a solution comprising hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIPA) and a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane (DCM) and/or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene or xylene, to form a dissolved polyester sample. The dissolved polyester may be prepared for recycling by evaporation, spray drying, and/or precipitation, which produces a purified solid polyester product. The dissolution solution, which is separated from the purified solid polyester product, is also recycled through distillation with purification.

Abstract: Disclosed are co-continuous immiscible polymer blends of a polysulfone and a polyaryletherketone optionally reinforced with carbon fiber. A method of preparing such a co-continuous immiscible polymer blend of a polysulfone and a polyaryletherketone reinforced with a carbon fiber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and system for the precipitation of poly(phenylene ether) is described. Precipitated poly(phenylene ether) obtained by the processes disclosed herein are in the form of poly(phenylene ether) particles having a bulk density of 150 to 500 kg/m3, preferably 250 to 500 kg/m3.

Abstract: A method for recycling polyester from a polyester textile. The method comprises the steps of: providing said polyester textile soaked in a mixture comprising a solvent and a catalyst, providing and maintaining a temperature of said mixture comprising said polyester textile within a range of 80-240° C. during depolymerization of polyester in said polyester textile and wherein, in said step of providing said polyester textile soaked in said mixture, said catalyst of said mixture comprises calcium hydroxide. A catalyst may be used for depolymerization of polyester in a polyester textile, wherein the catalyst comprises calcium hydroxide. Natural fibers may b e recovered from a textile comprising polyester and natural fibers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a coated film structure including a substrate layer, an overcoat layer, and at least one intermediate layer disposed between the substrate layer and the overcoat layer. The substrate layer includes a polymer film substrate, the overcoat layer includes an acid-functional copolymer, and the at least one intermediate layer includes aluminum oxide. The coated film structure has an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 3.00 cm3/m2/day at 50% relative humidity and 23° C. as measured in accordance with ASTM D3985. Further, the coated film structure has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 2.50 g/m2/day at 90% relative humidity and 37.8° C. as measured in accordance with ASTM E-398.

Abstract: Polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components are obtained from a multicomponent polyester device by reacting the multicomponent polyester device with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction recovers (i) the polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components as solid inert by-products of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) unreacted alcohol for reuse, and (iv) a polyester monomer product. Where the multicomponent device includes a non-polyester material, such as polystyrene, the polystyrene is fully recovered from the reaction. Where the multicomponent polyester device includes recording media, the reaction process sanitizes the inert byproducts of the recording media, thus scrubbing any personal data from the reacted recording media.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the formation of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and mono ethylene glycol (MEG). The present invention also relates to the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the recovery of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and mono ethylene glycol (MEG) using sodium methoxide as a catalyst.