Synthesis and characterization of bio‐based polyesters derived from 1,10‐decanediol

Agricultural plastics as a potential threat to food security, health, and environment through soil pollution by microplastics: Problem definition

The dynamic expansion of the Agricultural Plastics (AP) use has allowed for improved agricultural products quality, yields, and enhanced sustainability along with multiple benefits for the Agrifood sector. The present work investigates the relationship of AP characteristics, use and End-of-Life (EoL) practices with degradation and potential generation of micro-, nanoparticles (MNP) in soil. The composition, functionalities, and degradation behaviour of the contemporary conventional and biodegradable AP categories are systematically analysed. Their market dynamics are briefly presented. The risk and the conditions for the AP potential role in soil pollution and possible MNP generation are analysed based on a qualitative risk assessment approach. AP are classified from high to low-risk products with respect to their probability for soil contamination by MNP based on worst-best scenarios. Proposed alternative sustainable solutions to eliminate the risks are briefly presented for each AP category. Characteristic quantitative estimations of soil pollution by MNP generated by AP are presented for selected case studies reported in the literature. The significance of various indirect sources of agricultural soil pollution by MNP is analysed allowing for appropriate risk mitigation strategies and policies to be designed and implemented.

Highly Flexible Poly(1,12-dodecylene 5,5'-isopropylidene-bis(ethyl 2-furoate)): A Promising Biobased Polyester Derived from a Renewable Cost-Effective Bisfuranic Precursor and a Long-Chain Aliphatic Spacer

The continuous search for novel biobased polymers with high-performance properties has highlighted the role of monofuranic-based polyesters as some of the most promising for future plastic industry but has neglected the huge potential for the polymers' innovation, relatively low cost, and synthesis easiness of 5,5'-isopropylidene bis-(ethyl 2-furoate) (DEbF), obtained from the platform chemical, worldwide-produced furfural. In this vein, poly(1,12-dodecylene 5,5'-isopropylidene -bis(ethyl 2-furoate)) (PDDbF) was introduced, for the first time, as a biobased bisfuranic long-chain aliphatic polyester with an extreme flexibility function, competing with fossil-based polyethylene. This new polyester in-depth characterization confirmed its expected structure (FTIR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR) and relevant thermal features (DSC, TGA, and DMTA), notably, an essentially amorphous character with a glass transition temperature of -6 °C and main maximum decomposition temperature of 340 °C. Furthermore, PDDbF displayed an elongation at break as high as 732%, around five times higher than that of the 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid counterpart, stressing the unique features of the bisfuranic class of polymers compared to monofuranic ones. The enhanced ductility combined with the relevant thermal properties makes PDDbF a highly promising material for flexible packaging.