1. Weathering effects on cellulose acetate microplastics from discarded cigarette buttsBranka Mušič, Andrijana Sever Škapin, 2024, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci (vabljeno predavanje) Povzetek: Cellulose acetate, commonly used in cigarette filters, poses environmental concerns due to its questionable (bio)degradability and prevalent presence in nature. This study compares the weathering effects on two types of cigarette filters: traditional and newer filters used in heated tobacco devices (HTP). Microplastics were derived from used cigarette parts and then subjected to artificial aging. Analytical techniques (Thermogravimetry-Differential Scanning Calorimetry TG/DSC, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis (FTIR)) and loose bulk density measurements were employed pre- and post-aging cellulose acetate of both types of samples. Despite increasing evidence influencing European Union (EU) directives on tobacco product disposal, there's a lack of systematic analysis on the weathering impact, especially concerning the touted environmental benefits of newer filters. Results indicate decreased particle size in cellulose acetate filters post-aging. Variances were observed in thermal behavior, yet FTIR spectra remained unchanged.
Ključne besede: cellulose acetate, cigarette filters, microplastics, artificial weathering, polymer degradation
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.03.2024; Ogledov: 121; Prenosov: 124
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2. Quality checking of polymer modified bitumens in SloveniaMarjan Tušar, Lidija Ržek, Mojca Ravnikar Turk, 2021, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: For many years the properties of bitumen have been determined based on mechanical tests as needle penetration, Ring&Ball and Fraass fracture temperature. For elastomer (styrene-butadiene-styrene) polymer modified bitumens these tests are not sufficient to show the important differences in bitumens. Elastic recovery and cohesion provide better insight, but rheological properties cannot be adequately described with conventional test. The requirements of the polymer modified bitumens (PmB) in Europe were defined in EN14023 in 2010 [1]. Since then several new tests were introduced in the research field and their procedures improved. In the European Standards Committee (CEN) TC 336, there is on-going work to develop performance related specifications. New laboratory test methods from American standards were adapted and transformed into EN standards (bitumen laboratory aging methods and rheological tests). These test methods are not yet employed in the cur-rent PmB European standard, however, the draft prEN 14023, April 2020 [2] suggests these new tests. In the recent years at ZAG Laboratory for asphalts and bitumen-based products long-term aging of bitumen by pressure aging vessel (PAV) and rheological tests were introduced. Traditional bitumen test methods are performed together with new rheological testse.g. Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) testing, to characterize complex modulus and phase angle, and Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test (MSCRT) in order to develop a preliminary data base on PmB’s, which are frequently used in Slovenia. The paper presents the current requirements for PmB’s in Slovenia and test results on PmB 45/80-65, original, laboratory aged and extracted from produced asphalt mixtures.
Ključne besede: polymer modified bitumen, recovered bitumen, laboratory ageing, dynamic shear rheometer, multiple stress creep recovery test
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 28.02.2024; Ogledov: 113; Prenosov: 73
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4. Degradation and Stabilization of Polymer MaterialsBranka Mušič, Andrijana Sever Škapin, 2023, kratki znanstveni prispevek Ključne besede: polymer-based materials, nano, micro, and macro composites, effects on (micro) organisms and toxicity, impact on the ecosystem, mechanisms and products of accelerated aging and degradation, physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological, analysis, biodegradability, sustainability, life cycle, renewable and recycled resources and the circular economy
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.12.2023; Ogledov: 236; Prenosov: 82
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5. Influence of weathering on the degradation of cellulose acetate microplastics obtained from used cigarette buttsBranka Mušič, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Andrijana Sever Škapin, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Cellulose acetate is used in many applications, including for cigarette filters. Unfortunately, unlike cellulose, its (bio)degradability is under question, yet it often ends up uncontrolled in the natural environment. The main purpose of this study is to compare the effects of weathering on two types of cigarette filter (classic filters and newer filters that have more recently arrived on the market) following their use and disposal in nature. Microplastics were prepared from polymer parts of used (classic and heated tobacco products—HTP) cigarettes and artificially aged. TG/DTA, FTIR, and SEM analyses were performed both before and after the aging process. Newer tobacco products contain an additional film made of a poly(lactic acid) polymer which, like cellulose acetate, burdens the environment and poses a risk to the ecosystem. Numerous studies have been conducted on the disposal and recycling of cigarette butts and cigarette butt extracts, revealing alarming data that have also influenced the decisions of the EU, who addressed the disposal of tobacco products in the EU Directive (EU) 2019/904. Despite this, there is still no systematic analysis in the literature evaluating the impact of weathering (i.e., accelerated aging) on the degradation of cellulose acetate in classic cigarettes compared with that in newer tobacco products that have recently appeared on the market. This is of particular interest given that the latter have been promoted as being healthier and environmentally friendly. The results show that in cellulose acetate cigarette filters the particle size decreased after accelerated aging. Also, the thermal analysis revealed differences in the behavior of the aged samples, while the FTIR spectra showed no shifts in the position of the peaks. Organic substances break down under UV light, which can be seen by measuring the color change. The PLA film was found to be more stable than cellulose acetate under the influence of UV light.
Ključne besede: cellulose acetate, cigarette filters, microplastics, artificial weathering, polymer degradation
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 30.06.2023; Ogledov: 340; Prenosov: 211
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6. Flame retardant behaviour and physical-mechanical properties of polymer synergistic systems in rigid polyurethane foamsBranka Mušič, Nataša Knez, Janez Bernard, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: In the presented work, the influence of two flame retardants—ammonium polyphosphates and 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine on the polyurethane foam (PUR) systems were studied. In this paper, these interactive properties are studied by using the thermal analytical techniques, TGA and DTA, which enable the various thermal transitions and associated volatilization to be studied and enable the connection of the results with thermal and mechanical analysis, as are thermal conductivities, compression and bending behavior, hardness, flammability, and surface morphology. In this way, a greater understanding of what the addition of fire retardants to polyurethane foams means for system flammability itself and, on the other hand, how this addition affects the mechanical properties of PUR may be investigated. It was obtained that retardants significantly increase the fire resistance of the PURs systems while they do not affect the thermal conductivity and only slightly decrease the mechanical properties of the systems. Therefore, the presented systems seem to be applicable as thermal insulation where low heat conductivity coupled with high flame resistance is required.
Ključne besede: flammability, polyurethane polymer, foams, thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, open access
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 08.06.2023; Ogledov: 331; Prenosov: 162
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7. Advanced method for efficient functionalization of polymers by intermediate free-radical formation with vacuum-ultraviolet radiation and producing superhydrophilic surfacesAlenka Vesel, Rok Zaplotnik, Miran Mozetič, Nina Recek, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: An efficient approach for tailoring surface properties of polymers is presented, which enables rapid modification leading to superhydrophilic properties. The approach is based on vacuum-ultraviolet radiation (VUV) pretreatment of the surface to create reactive dangling bonds. This step is followed by a second treatment using neutral oxygen atoms that react with the dangling bonds and form functional groups. The beneficial effect of VUV pretreatment for enhanced functionalization was clearly demonstrated by comparing VUV pretreatment in plasmas created in different gases, i.e., hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, which differ in the intensity of VUV/UV radiation. The emission intensity of VUV radiation for all gases was measured by vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy. It was shown that VUV has a strong influence on the treatment time and final surface wettability. A superhydrophilic surface was obtained only if using VUV pretreatment. Furthermore, the treatment time was significantly reduced to only a second of treatment. These findings show that such an approach may be used to enhance the surface reaction efficiency for further grafting of chemical groups.
Ključne besede: plasma treatment, vacuum-ultraviolet radiation treatment, surface functionalization, polymer polyvinyl chloride, vacuum-ultraviolet spectroscopy, vacuum-ultraviolet photons
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.06.2023; Ogledov: 362; Prenosov: 184
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8. Deposition of chitosan on plasma-treated polymers : a reviewAlenka Vesel, 2023, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Materials for biomedical applications often need to be coated to enhance their performance, such as their biocompatibility, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, or to assist the regeneration process and influence cell adhesion. Among naturally available substances, chitosan meets the above criteria. Most synthetic polymer materials do not enable the immobilization of the chitosan film. Therefore, their surface should be altered to ensure the interaction between the surface functional groups and the amino or hydroxyl groups in the chitosan chain. Plasma treatment can provide an effective solution to this problem. This work aims to review plasma methods for surface modification of polymers for improved chitosan immobilization. The obtained surface finish is explained in view of the different mechanisms involved in treating polymers with reactive plasma species. The reviewed literature showed that researchers usually use two different approaches: direct immobilization of chitosan on the plasma-treated surface or indirect immobilization by additional chemistry and coupling agents, which are also reviewed. Although plasma treatment leads to remarkably improved surface wettability, this was not the case for chitosan-coated samples, where a wide range of wettability was reported ranging from almost superhydrophilic to hydrophobic, which may have a negative effect on the formation of chitosan-based hydrogels.
Ključne besede: polymer surfaces, chitosan, coatings, plasma-surface modification, adhesion
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 24.02.2023; Ogledov: 388; Prenosov: 212
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9. A method for the immobilization of chitosan onto urinary cathetersAlenka Vesel, Nina Recek, Rok Zaplotnik, Albert Kurinčič, Katja Kuzmič, Lidija Fras Zemljič, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: A method for the immobilization of an antibacterial chitosan coating to polymeric urinary medical catheters is presented. The method comprises a two-step plasma-treatment procedure, followed by the deposition of chitosan from the water solution. In the first plasma step, the urinary catheter is treated with vacuum-ultraviolet radiation to break bonds in the polymer surface film and create dangling bonds, which are occupied by hydrogen atoms. In the second plasma step, polymeric catheters are treated with atomic oxygen to form oxygen-containing surface functional groups acting as binding sites for chitosan. The presence of oxygen functional groups also causes a transformation of the hydrophobic polymer surface to hydrophilic, thus enabling uniform wetting and improved adsorption of the chitosan coating. The wettability was measured by the sessile-drop method, while the surface composition and structure were measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Non-treated samples did not exhibit successful chitosan immobilization. The effect of plasma treatment on immobilization was explained by noncovalent interactions such as electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds.
Ključne besede: polymer, chitosan immobilization, adhesion, plasma-surface modification, biopolymers
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.12.2022; Ogledov: 461; Prenosov: 282
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