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Thermal Properties Study of Recycled Espresso Coffee Capsules for Biocomposite Application
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This study evaluated the thermal properties of recycled espresso coffee capsule waste for use in biocomposite applications, finding the material has suitable characteristics as a reinforcing filler. The research supports finding productive secondary uses for growing volumes of single-use plastic capsule waste.
Solid plastic waste has been an environment problem with a lot of discussions in literature. The humanity needs to think about the future and be aware about its residues because only with this thinking will be possible to decrease environmental impacts and conserve natural resources. Espresso coffee capsules waste have grown in the last years because espresso machines provide an easily and quickly way to have a coffee time. This residue is difficult to recycling because it is composed of various materials. However the needs to decrease the impact caused by this waste influenced the thinking of researchers about applied this recycled polymer as matrix in polymeric biocomposites. In this context, the present work has the main objective of to separate the polypropylene (PP) that is the main component of the capsules, and carried out the mechanical recycling of this material to use it as a matrix of a biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers. In order to understand thermal degradation, melting point and crystallization point, the recycled material was characterized before and after recycling process by thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and compared with a virgin PP. TGA shows no significant thermal stability loss with PP thermal degradation beginning at 280 C for virgin PP and 275 C for capsules and recycled material. DSC shows melting point and crystallization point respectively at 163 C and 114 C for virgin PP, 163 C and 116 C for capsules and 163 C and 114 C for recycled material. These results demonstrate the viability of mechanical recycling of plastic capsules for future reuse in new products.
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