engleski

Overview of global activities related to polymer recycling involving radiation technology

Polymers ― which include plastic and rubber products ― have become very popular materials with widespread use because of their low cost, easy fabrication, lightweight, and good mechanical properties. At present, many sectors such as packaging, construction, consumer goods, machinery, textile, etc. are producing more and more customized multi-component polymer products. However, these products do not easily degrade in the outdoor environment. The extensive use of easily available and inexpensive synthetic polymers as well as the lack of high energy- and cost-efficient recycling processes and market for products made from recycled polymer waste have led to the accumulation of huge amounts of polymer wastes and corresponding difficulties in waste management. Due to increasing restrictions on incineration and landfilling, there is a growing need for highly efficient and sustainable recycling processes, especially for multi- component polymer waste, for more production techniques using recycled polymer waste, for easily recyclable plastic polymer products, and for improved separation of polymer waste. Radiation technologies offer manifold possibilities as an addition to traditional recycling methods so that plastic waste can be reused or recycled. The addition of an irradiation step in the plastic waste processing sequence can lead to crosslinking and/or grafting mechanisms which can result in improving the properties of different polymers or polymer blends, or the creation of novel polymeric materials and composites. On the other hand, the controlled cleavage of chemical bonds through irradiation can lead to the degradation or breaking down of plastic waste into smaller pieces, thus improving the molding capacity of the material and making it more suitable for grinding. Degradation by irradiation can also lead to the formation of new compounds resulting in the synthesis of special active components, while radiation-stimulated oxidation can improve the compatibility of some pairs of polymers. The latest trends involve the radiation-induced conversion of polymers into fuels and additives, as well as sorting plastics based on their radiolytic oxidation and electrostatic properties. New applications of radiation processing in plastic waste management are being presented continuously.

polymer recycling ; radiation technology

nije evidentirano