The Flame Retardancy of Polyethylene Composites: From Fundamental Concepts to Nanocomposites.

Polyethylene (PE) is one the most used plastics worldwide for a wide range of applications due to its good mechanical and chemical resistance, low density, cost efficiency, ease of processability, non-reactivity, low toxicity, good electric insulation, and good functionality. However, its high flammability and rapid flame spread pose dangers for certain applications. Therefore, different flame-retardant (FR) additives are incorporated into PE to increase its flame retardancy. In this review article, research papers from the past 10 years on the flame retardancy of PE systems are comprehensively reviewed and classified based on the additive sources. The FR additives are classified in well-known FR families, including phosphorous, melamine, nitrogen, inorganic hydroxides, boron, and silicon. The mechanism of fire retardance in each family is pinpointed. In addition to the efficiency of each FR in increasing the flame retardancy, its impact on the mechanical properties of the PE system is also discussed. Most of the FRs can decrease the heat release rate (HRR) of the PE products and simultaneously maintains the mechanical properties in appropriate ratios. Based on the literature, inorganic hydroxide seems to be used more in PE systems compared to other families. Finally, the role of nanotechnology for more efficient FR-PE systems is discussed and recommendations are given on implementing strategies that could help incorporate flame retardancy in the circular economy model.

Photocatalytic removal of Escherichia coli from aquatic solutions using synthesized ZnO nanoparticles: a kinetic study.

Development of effective and low-cost disinfection technology is needed to address the problems caused by an outbreak of harmful microorganisms. In this work, an effective photocatalytic removal of Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli from aqueous solution was reported by using ZnO nanoparticles under UV light irradiation. The effect of various parameters such as solution pH, ZnO dosage, contact time and initial E. coli concentration were investigated. Maximum photocatalytic disinfection was observed at neutral pH because of the reduced photocatalytic activity of ZnO at low and high pH values originated from either acidic/photochemical corrosion of the catalyst and/or surface passivation with Zn(OH)(2). As the ZnO dosage increased, the photocatalytic disappearance of E. coli was continuously enhanced, but was gradually decreased above 2 g/L of ZnO due to the increased blockage of the incident UV light used. The optimum ZnO dosage was determined as 1 g/L. Photocatalytic removal of E. coli decreased as initial E. coli concentration increased. Three kinetic models (zero-, first- and second-order equations) were used to correlate the experimental data and to determine the kinetic parameters.