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Assessment of the Impact of Superficial Contamination and Thermo-Oxidative Degradation on the Properties of Post-Consumer Recycled Polypropylene
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This study investigated how surface contamination and thermo-oxidative degradation during repeated use affect the mechanical and chemical properties of post-consumer recycled polypropylene, finding that these degradation processes significantly reduce material quality and pose challenges for achieving high-quality recycled plastic products.
Single-use plastics are a matter of convenience in everyday life, with the majority allocated to packaging production. However, it comes with a high environmental price as its mass recycling is challenging due to the heterogeneity of composition, contaminations of different kinds, and degradation caused by service and processing. This study aims to ascertain the impact of removing contaminants from post-consumer recycled polypropylene (rPP) on its degradation and properties by implementing a systematic approach for decontamination by washing. Four lots of recycled plastics with different degrees of contamination were evaluated via Fourier transform infrared, melt flow indexer, and differential scanning calorimetry and tested for tensile strength. Degradation of the rPP was manifested by the deterioration in ductility, resulting in 14.58% elongation at break (unwashed rPP) compared with 191.41% (virgin PP)) and a significant reduction in oxidation induction time. In the unwashed rPP sample, a wave intensity peak at 1730 cm-1, assigned to the saturated C = 0 stretch of the carbonyl functional group, was detected. This peak was gradually disappearing with an increase in the cleaning efficiency of rPP, highlighting the role of contaminants as degradation catalysts. The cold-washing method showed similar processing and mechanical performance improvement results compared with the other washing methods, while being more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
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Researchers characterized polypropylene contamination in post-consumer polyolefin plastic waste, finding that heterogeneous contaminants significantly compromise recycled material properties and examined compatibilisation strategies to improve recycling outcomes.
Morpho-structural and thermo-mechanical characterization of recycled polypropylene and polystyrene from mixed post-consumer plastic waste
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Researchers characterized recycled polypropylene and polystyrene recovered from mixed post-consumer plastic waste, assessing their morphological, structural, and thermo-mechanical properties to evaluate suitability for reuse in manufacturing.
Post-Industrial Recycled Polypropylene for Automotive Application: Mechanical Properties After Thermal Ageing
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Researchers tested how thermal aging affects the mechanical properties of recycled polypropylene compounds used in automotive parts. Post-industrial recycled material with varying talc filler concentrations maintained comparable performance to virgin material in many cases. The study suggests that recycled polypropylene can serve as a viable, more sustainable alternative in automotive applications, helping reduce plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Degradation of polypropylene : proportion of microplastics formed and assessment of their density.
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Researchers quantified the proportion of microplastics generated during UV-driven degradation of polypropylene and assessed changes in chemical composition caused by photooxidation. The study found that UV exposure progressively fragments polypropylene and alters its surface chemistry, affecting subsequent environmental behavior and toxicity.
Towards sustainable plastics recycling: assessing the integrity status of polypropylene (PP) debris to recycle marine-degraded materials
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Researchers assessed marine-degraded polypropylene (PP) debris from coastal environments using FTIR spectroscopy and tensile testing, classifying debris by integrity, then blending degraded PP with virgin PP to produce recyclable specimens that retain acceptable mechanical properties. The work shows that even environmentally weathered plastic — a significant source of microplastic fragments — can be recycled with quality outcomes, offering a route to reduce ongoing fragmentation.
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