Abstract
There is high market demand for increasing the viability of current plastic recycling processes. In this work rheology is used to evaluate the mechanical properties of a solvent dissolution recycled polymer compared to its virgin untreated precursor. Solvent dissolution and precipitation are used to target multi-layer, multi-component, industry films, which cannot be mechanically recycled. Polyethylene was chosen as the primary polymer of interest. Polymer thermal stability was monitored via time-resolved rheology; consecutive frequency sweeps over the course of an hour while under isothermal conditions. Additional rheological experiments were performed within the identified thermally stable conditions. Small-angle oscillatory shear was complemented with steady shear viscosity experiments over a wide range of shear rates. Extensional rheology was used to determine changes in molecular weight and cross link density. Rheological characterization is supplemented with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of the solvent wash to determine components stripped from the virgin polymers during solvent treatment.
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Acknowledgements
Gel permeation chromatography was graciously provided by Khairun N. Tumu of Keith Vorst’s group at Iowa State University.
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This material is based upon work supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office under award number DEEE0009285.
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Tillinghast, G., Sánchez-Rivera, K.L., Huber, G.W. et al. Shear and extensional rheology of polyethylenes recycled using a solvent dissolution process. Rheol Acta (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-024-01446-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-024-01446-y