Scleroglucan-Based Foam Incorporating Recycled Rigid Polyurethane Waste for Novel Insulation Material Production.

This study details the synthesis and performance evaluation of a novel lightweight thermal and acoustic insulation material, resulting from the combination of a scleroglucan-based hydrogel and recycled rigid polyurethane waste powder. Through a sublimation-driven water-removal process, a porous three-dimensional network structure is formed, showcasing notable thermal and acoustic insulation properties. Experimental data are presented to highlight the material's performance, including comparisons with commercially available mineral wool and polymeric foams. This material versatility is demonstrated through tunable mechanical, thermal and acoustic characteristics, achieved by strategically adjusting the concentration of the biopolymer and additives. This adaptability positions the material as a promising candidate for different insulation applications. Addressing environmental concerns related to rigid polyurethane waste disposal, the study contributes to the circular economy.

Poly-L-lysine-coated silver nanoparticles as positively charged substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Positively charged nanoparticles to be used as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) were prepared by coating citrate-reduced silver nanoparticles with the cationic polymer poly-l-lysine. The average diameter of the coated nanoparticles is 75 nm, and their zeta potential is +62.3 ± 1.7 mV. UV-vis spectrophotometry and dynamic light scattering measurements show that no aggregation occurs during the coating process. As an example of their application, the so-obtained positively charged coated particles were employed to detect nanomolar concentrations of the anionic chromophore bilirubin using SERS. Because of their opposite charge, bilirubin molecules interact with the coated nanoparticles, allowing SERS detection. The SERS intensity increases linearly with concentration in a range from 10 to 200 nM, allowing quantitative analysis of bilirubin aqueous solutions.

Recycling alginate composites for thermal insulation.

We present a new method for the total functional recycling of alginate-based composite materials made via ionotropic gelation. The original material, an alginate/fiberglass foam with thermal insulation characteristics, was produced following a patented process in which fiberglass waste is embedded into the polyanionic gel matrix, and the resulting compound is then freeze-dried. The functional recycling is carried out by disassembling the ionic matrix - which is initially formed by the interaction between a cation (e.g. calcium) and the negatively charged alginate backbone - with the use of a chelator (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt) with a high affinity for the cations, thus obtaining a homogeneous solution. An ionotropic gel can then be re-formed upon deactivation of the chelating activity under mild acid conditions. We managed to maintain or improve the thermal, mechanical and acoustic performances of the original material and we successfully tested the possibility of multiple recycling cycles.