| Title |
Thiocracking of Multi-Materials: High-Strength Composites from Post-Consumer Food Packaging Jars |
| ID_Doc |
19900 |
| Authors |
Derr, KM; Smith, RC |
| Title |
Thiocracking of Multi-Materials: High-Strength Composites from Post-Consumer Food Packaging Jars |
| Year |
2024 |
| Published |
Sustainability, 16.0, 16 |
| DOI |
10.3390/su16167023 |
| Abstract |
A significant waste material threatening sustainability efforts are post-consumer food packaging goods. These ubiquitous multi-materials comprise chemically disparate components and are thus challenging targets for recycling. Herein, we undertake a proof-of-principle study in which we use a single-stage method to convert post-consumer multi-material food packaging (post-consumer peanut butter jars) to a high compressive strength composite (PBJS90). This is accomplished by thiocracking the ground jar pulp (10 wt. %) with elemental sulfur (90 wt. %) at 320 degrees C for 2 h. This is the first application of thiocracking to such mixed-material post-consumer goods. Composite synthesis proceeded with 100% atom economy, a low E factor of 0.02, and negative global warming potential of -0.099 kg CO2e/kg. Furthermore, the compressive strength of PBJS90 (37.7 MPa) is over twice that required for Portland cement building foundations. The simplicity of composite synthesis using a lower temperature/shorter heating time than needed for mineral cements, and exclusive use of waste materials as precursors are ecologically beneficial and represent an important proof-of-principle approach to using thiocracking as a strategy for upcycling multi-materials to useful composites. |
| Author Keywords |
chemical recycling; multi-materials; packaging; PET; thiocracking; sulfur |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) |
| EID |
WOS:001307621500001 |
| WoS Category |
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Studies |
| Research Area |
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167023
|