Ex-ante life cycle assessment of polymer nanocomposites using organo-modified layered double hydroxides for potential application in agricultural films

Biodegradable agricultural films made of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) are interesting alternatives to the most commonly used low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films. Photodegradation of both types of polymers can be prevented by the addition of UV stabilizers. To prevent leaching of the additives from the films, the stabilizers can be intercalated in layered double hydroxides (LDH). When LDHs are exfoliated in the polymer a nanocomposite is formed with improved material properties. An ex-ante cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) is conducted on the application of nanoclays in agricultural mulching films. The PBAT/LDH nanocomposite is compared with PBAT and LDPE, both of which had been UV-stabilized with the conventionally used compound Irganox 1010. Being key ingredients of the nanocomposites we prepare an ex-ante cradle-to-factory gate LCA for different nanoclay compositions containing surfactants and the non-toxic UV stabilizer p-hydroxycinnamic acid intercalated in LDH sheets. Among the nanoclays, the lowest environmental impact is achieved by LDHs based on magnesium oxide/hydroxide and aluminum oxide/hydroxide, with the surfactant stearate as the intercalated anion. Our comparative analysis of mulching films shows that the lowest non-renewable energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are obtained by LDPE films, which are recycled and incinerated with energy recovery after the second life cycle. However, recycling and energy recovery are not always applied, which makes the biodegradable PBAT an interesting alternative. Further study on the UV stability, tensile strength and bio-based feedstock for PBAT indicates that PBAT containing LDH and p-hydroxycinnamic acid can be an environmentally friendly alternative to LDPE agricultural films containing the UV stabilizer Irganox 1010.

[1]  C. Higman,et al.  Production‐Integrated Environmental Protection , 2000 .

[2]  Aaas News,et al.  Book Reviews , 1893, Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal.

[3]  Henrikke Baumann,et al.  The hitch hiker's guide to LCA : an orientation in life cycle assessment methodology and application , 2004 .

[4]  H. Sauerwein,et al.  Trans-Cinnamic Acid Increases Adiponectin and the Phosphorylation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase through G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes , 2014, International journal of molecular sciences.

[5]  Martin K. Patel,et al.  Influence of using nanoobjects as filler on functionality-based energy use of nanocomposites , 2010 .

[6]  Demetres Briassoulis,et al.  Labeling scheme for agricultural plastic wastes in Europe: Labeling scheme for APW in Europe , 2010 .

[7]  M. Bousmina,et al.  Biodegradable polymers and their layered silicate nanocomposites: In greening the 21st century materials world , 2005 .

[8]  V. Verney,et al.  Poly(butylene succinate)/layered double hydroxide bionanocomposites: Relationships between chemical structure of LDH anion, delamination strategy, and final properties , 2013 .

[9]  J. Martín,et al.  Decomposition of Specifically Carbon-14 Labeled Benzoic and Cinnamic Acid Derivatives in Soil 1 , 1975 .

[10]  Andrew G. Livingston,et al.  Partial wet oxidation of p-coumaric acid: Oxidation intermediates, reaction pathways and implications for wastewater treatment , 1996 .

[11]  Ernst Worrell,et al.  Preliminary evaluation of risks related to waste incineration of polymer nanocomposites. , 2012, The Science of the total environment.

[12]  Yoram Cohen,et al.  The University of California Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology. , 2009, Environmental science & technology.

[13]  Jin-Ho Choy,et al.  LDH nanocontainers as bio-reservoirs and drug delivery carriers. , 2012, Recent patents on nanotechnology.

[14]  V. Verney,et al.  Functionalisation of polybutylene succinate nanocomposites: from structure to reinforcement of UV-absorbing and mechanical properties , 2012 .

[15]  Satish Joshi,et al.  Can Nanotechnology Improve the Sustainability of Biobased Products? , 2008 .

[16]  D Briassoulis,et al.  Technical specifications for mechanical recycling of agricultural plastic waste. , 2013, Waste management.

[17]  Martin Kumar Patel,et al.  To compost or not to compost: Carbon and energy footprints of biodegradable materials' waste treatment , 2011 .

[18]  Sylvie Bertin,et al.  Study and characterization of virgin and recycled LDPE/PP blends , 2002 .

[19]  Andrew G. Glen,et al.  APPL , 2001 .

[20]  M. Sclavons,et al.  Polymer-based nanocomposites: Overview, applications and perspectives , 2007 .

[21]  F. Leroux,et al.  Fine tuning between organic and inorganic host structure: new trends in layered double hydroxide hybrid assemblies , 2005 .

[22]  F. Leroux Organo-modified anionic clays into polymer compared to smectite-type nanofiller: potential applications of the nanocomposites. , 2006, Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

[23]  M Hiskakis,et al.  Experimental investigation of the quality characteristics of agricultural plastic wastes regarding their recycling and energy recovery potential. , 2012, Waste management.

[24]  M. Hakkarainen Solid Phase Microextraction for Analysis of Polymer Degradation Products and Additives , 2007 .

[25]  Enrico Boccaleri,et al.  Synthetic, layered nanoparticles for polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs) , 2007 .

[26]  Martin Kumar Patel,et al.  Succinic acid production derived from carbohydrates: An energy and greenhouse gas assessment of a platform chemical toward a bio‐based economy , 2014 .

[27]  Z. X. and,et al.  Hydrothermal Synthesis of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) from Mixed MgO and Al2O3: LDH Formation Mechanism , 2005 .

[28]  G. G. Stokes "J." , 1890, The New Yale Book of Quotations.

[29]  Mike S. Lee Mass Spectrometry Handbook: Lee/Mass Spectrometry Handbook , 2012 .

[30]  Miss A.O. Penney (b) , 1974, The New Yale Book of Quotations.

[31]  G. Hartmann,et al.  Sodium and Sodium Alloys , 2000 .

[32]  S. Mohanty,et al.  Biodegradable nanocomposites of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with organically modified nanoclays , 2010 .

[33]  Martin Kumar Patel,et al.  Environmental and Cost Assessment of a Polypropylene Nanocomposite , 2007 .

[34]  Susan Selke,et al.  Critical aspects in the life cycle assessment (LCA) of bio-based materials – Reviewing methodologies and deriving recommendations , 2013 .

[35]  Mark A. J. Huijbregts,et al.  On the usefulness of life cycle assessment in early chemical methodology development: the case of organophosphorus-catalyzed Appel and Wittig reactions† , 2013 .

[36]  V. Verney,et al.  Strong interfacial attrition developed by oleate/layered double hydroxide nanoplatelets dispersed into poly(butylene succinate). , 2010, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[37]  Elizabeth A. Casman,et al.  Decreasing uncertainties in assessing environmental exposure, risk, and ecological implications of nanomaterials. , 2009, Environmental science & technology.

[38]  J. Hoskins,et al.  The occurrence, metabolism and toxicity of cinnamic acid and related compounds , 1984, Journal of applied toxicology : JAT.

[39]  Martin Kumar Patel,et al.  Replacing fossil based PET with biobased PEF; process analysis, energy and GHG balance , 2012 .

[40]  F. Leroux,et al.  Preparation and properties of blends composed of lignosulfonated layered double hydroxide/plasticized starch and thermoplastics. , 2013, Carbohydrate polymers.

[41]  M. Sclavons,et al.  Emission of volatile organic compounds during processing and use of organoclay-based nanocomposites , 2013 .

[42]  G. Barbiroli,et al.  Novel copolyesters based on poly(alkylene dicarboxylate)s: 1. Thermal behavior and biodegradation of aliphatic–aromatic random copolymers , 2008 .