Abstract: Freestanding porous polyethylene thin film, and a method for preparing a freestanding porous polyethylene thin film. The method includes dissolving polyethylene in an organic solvent to form a solution under reflux conditions; adding a swellable pocket forming agent to the solution and mixing the solution until the swellable pocket forming agent is well-dispersed therein; applying the well-dispersed solution onto a solid substrate through spin coating to form a thin film on the solid substrate; peeling the thin film off the solid substrate; and extracting the swellable pocket forming agent from the peeled thin film by washing the peeled thin film in water, thereby obtaining a freestanding porous polyethylene thin film with swellable pockets, macro-voids, and micropores. The freestanding porous polyethylene thin film can be used as an oil sorbent. The freestanding porous polyethylene thin film has about 500 to about 800 swellable cavities per cm2.

Abstract: Freestanding microporous thin films, made using plastic waste, can be used as a hydrophobic coating, filtration membranes, or oil-sorbents. A method for producing the microporous thin film involves dissolving the plastic in an organic solvent to obtain a solution; and applying the solution onto a solid substrate through spin-coating followed by controlled heating, resulting in a freestanding porous thin film. Plastic waste comprises recycled polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polystyrene (PS), recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or industrial waste. The approach of fabricating multi-functional thin films from plastic waste combines an effective way to address multiple environmental issues simultaneously.

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) superhydrophobic sheets and a fabrication method thereof are provided. Superhydrophobic PP sheets of varying thickness having a base layer and a top layer may be fabricated using recycled or waste PP, 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 (PP) superhydrophobic sheets may impart protective water-repellent properties against the elements.

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.