MIT-World Peace University (MIT-WPU) is a top educational institute located in Pune, India. It is recognized within&nbsp;UGC under Government of Maharashtra Act No. XXXV 2017.&nbsp;

It is part of the MIT group of institutions (established in 1983) which covers 10+ campuses across India and has more than 50,000+ students enrolled across various disciplines at a given point of time. The institute houses 15 schools ranging from Engineering &amp; Technology, Design, Pharmacy, Commerce, Governance among others. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programs among different disciplines.&nbsp;

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MIT World Peace University

School of Polymer Engineering

Water contamination by heavy metal is a great environmental concern. It leads to many health issues ranging from diarrhea, vomiting to life-threatening diseases like cancer, lung/kidney damage. This also affects soil biota/plant growth. Metal-ions have a tendency of bioaccumulation, hence pose a major issue upon entry in the food-cycle. Their removal from water is necessary before use for human/agricultural applications. Different methods reported for metal-ion separation are conventional methods viz. chemical-precipitation, ion-exchange, adsorption, coagulation, flocculation, flotation, electrochemical possess good separation efficiency, but the generation of a secondary pollutant, recovery issues restrict their applicability. Hence, there is a need of reliable techno-economical, environment-friendly, sustainable separation, recovery method. Membrane-based methods viz. reverse-osmosis, nanofiltration, electrodialysis, ultrafiltration has ability to treat water for heavy metal recovery without chemical contamination. Recovered materials can be recycled/utilized further. Among different membrane-based processes, micellar/polymer enhanced ultrafiltration requires chemical addition and affects purity. Electrodialysis, reverse-osmosis, nanofiltration processes require large energy/operational issues. Hence, simple ultrafiltration with membrane modification is preferable as low-energy requirements. This paper discusses details of conventional/advanced methods for heavy metal separation with the fundamental process, parameters, advantages/limitations. © 2021 Mahajan-Tatpate et al.; Licensee Cosmos Scholars Publishing House. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

Engineering and Technology

World University root node

International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology

Removal of heavy metals from water: Technological advances and today's lookout through membrane applications

Until recently, synthetic filler materials have been the preferred choice for reinforcement of polymers to improve its toughness. However, natural filler and fiber materials are emerging as suitable alternatives to synthetic materials for reinforcing polymers due to their environmental friendliness, high abundance, renewability, and cost-effectiveness. In the present study, the waste portion of the fruit Citrus Maxima (CM) commonly known as Pomelo, in the form of fine powder was blended with Low-Density <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/polyethylene">Polyethylene</a> (LDPE) for making the composite using the injection molding method. The peel of CM consists of a foamy portion which was separated, thoroughly dried at 50–70&nbsp;°C and ground into a fine powder and was used as an eco-friendly <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/particulate-filler">particulate filler</a> with the LDPE matrix in different proportions (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20&nbsp;wt%) in treated and untreated form. The filler was treated with 2&nbsp;wt% of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/silane">Silane</a> coupling agent. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/x-ray-diffraction-analysis">XRD</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/infrared-spectroscopy">FTIR</a> confirmed the cellulosic behavior of the CM foam. The effect of filler content on the mechanical properties of the untreated and treated composites was investigated. The morphology and the microstructure of the composites were observed by XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The surface treatment showed significant improvement in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/tensile-strength">tensile strength</a>, % elongation and impact strength for the treated composite at higher loading of filler. The mechanical behaviour of the composites led to the successful utilization of CM waste portion for making an eco-friendly reinforcing additive to form LDPE composites.

Materials Today: Proceedings

Mechanical and morphological properties of Citrus Maxima waste powder filled Low-Density polyethylene composites

In this project, binary blend PP/EPDM and tertiary blend PP/Egg shell powder/ Fish bone powder and binary blend PP/Egg shell powder and PP/ Fish bone powder has been prepared and studied. Effect of egg shell powder and fish bone powder content on mechanical performance of PP/ Egg shell powder/ Fish bone powder blend has been studied for binary blend and tertiary blend system by carrying out unnotched Izod impact and Tensile test Processingmethod hasto be employed are filler and EPDM hasto bemixed first and then melt blended with PP. Effect of addition egg shell powder and fish bone powder on mechanical performance oftertiary blend and binary blend has to be compared with tertiary blend of PP/EPDM/talc for varying composition Egg shell powder and fish bone powder with same composition of EPDM /. Thus polypropylene modified with EPDM and different fillers gives good balance between toughness and stiffness, thereby extending its end use application.

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)

Effect of egg shell powder and fish bone powder content on mechanical performance of PP

Polybutene-1 is an unusual polymer having high environment crackresistance,toughness, creepresistance,low glass transition temperature, flexibility etc. making it attractive for pipe and tubing applications. However, itexists in four polymorphic forms and has most peculiar solid-solid transformation taking place over long period of time (over days) which is the major drawback limiting its applications. There have been several efforts made in the pasttoaccelerate the process of crystal transformation from form-II to form-I whichismoststableofallthepolymorphs. Techniquessuch as mechanicalstretching, electron beamirradiation, additionof co-monomer, annealing etc. have been tried in the past [1-5] to obtain the stable form-I of polybutene-1 (PB1). In this paper, we describe the effect of addition of nano silica on the rate of transformation of form-II to form-I ofPB1.

Effect of Nano Silica on Phase Transformation from Form-II to Form–I of Polybutene-1

Portland cement is used for making mortar and concrete which has been a popular construction material in the world for the past century or more. However, some trouble of cement mortar and concrete such as low tensile strength, low chemical resistance, large drying shrinkage, and delayed hardening. To minimize these troubles, many attempts to use polymers have been made. One such attempt is use of polymer as the &nbsp;binder &nbsp;in concrete, which &nbsp;is made by &nbsp;the innovating ordinary cement mortar or concrete with polymer additives such &nbsp;as &nbsp;water-soluble &nbsp;polymers, &nbsp;liquid &nbsp;resins, &nbsp;latexes, redispersible polymer powders and monomers.

Polyfurfuryl based Polymer Concrete

IPI Journal

ROLE OF PLASTIC IN HANDLING OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC

The role of two solvents, namely N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), on the dispersion of CNF in PVDF matrix has been studied when the composites are synthesized by non-solvent precipitation route followed by melt crystallization at 200 °C and quenching in water. The electrical conductivities of melt-crystallized PVDF–CNF, PVDF-7 wt% graphite-CNF nanocomposites synthesized using DMAc solvent are higher than that of composites synthesized using DMF solvent. Thermogravimetric analysis of PVDF-7 wt% graphite, PVDF-3 wt% CNF suggests that the onset temperature of thermal degradation of the composite synthesized using DMAc is 20 °C higher than that of the same composite synthesized by using DMF. The SEM analysis of cross section of melt-crystallized, water-quenched PVDF-3 wt% CNF clearly proves better dispersion of CNF when DMAc solvent is used. Structure development in the polymer when CNF is incorporated has been understood in terms of lattice mismatch theory. DSC analysis proves the nucleating ability of CNF when incorporated in the polymer matrix as crystallization temperature (Tc) is enhanced by 5 °C. At low frequency (40 Hz), the intergranular capacitance is more than two times higher for PVDF-3 wt% CNF composites synthesized by using DMAc solvent when compared to that of DMF employed composites. The enhancement of storage modulus at − 90 °C for PVDF-7 wt% CNF composites synthesized by using DMAc solvent when compared to that of DMF employed same composite supports better dispersion of CNF in PVDF matrix in the former case as revealed by DMA.

Polymer Bulletin

Effect of casting solvent on the structure development, electrical, thermal behavior of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-carbon nanofiber (CNF) conducting binary andhybrid nanocomposites

Bio-compostable films are needed for food packaging to maintain circular economy. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) is important factor in these packaging films which can be controlled by blending and incorporation of nano fillers. Polybutylelne adipate terphalate (PBAT)/ Polylactic acid (PLA) blend filled with Halloysite nano tubes (HNT) were successfully solution casted by using doctor blade method. Polyethylene glycol, PEG 400 and TritonX-100 were used as the dispersing agents for incorporation of HNT in the range of 0 to 2 wt%. All the samples were characterized for structure, morphology, mechanical and thermal properties. WVTR, and shelf life studies for green vegetables were carried out in ambient conditions. The results indicated improvement in mechanical properties of 80PBAT/20PLA/HNT filled blends compared to unfilled blends. TritonX-100 gave better dispersion of HNT than PEG400. as evidenced from XRD, SEM and FTIR analysis. Considerable decrease in WVTR was found by the addition of HNT in presence of PEG400 and TritonX-100. The effect was more pronounced in TritonX-100 since it helps to improve chain stiffening effect as reported in earlier studies. The DSC studies indicated increase of crystallinity of HNT filled blends which leads to reduction of WVTR. The evaluation of green vegetables preservation studies by different films showed that there was rapid ripening and deterioration of green vegetables as indicated by red color and shrinkage of the product in the standard low density polyethylene (LDPE) pouches and films without HNT. On the other hand in the presence of HNT the ripening rate was decreased considerably and original green color as well as freshness of green vegetables were maintained over the period of two weeks at ambient temperature conditions.

Fulltext

Materials Research Express

PBAT/PLA/HNT filled blends for active food packaging

The mechanical properties like tensile, pin bearing and impact properties have been studied for composites containing Fly Ash (FA) and Impact modifier (IM) in Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) for furniture and pipe applications. Pin-bearing test is an important tool to evaluate the ability of the material to retain fasteners and the ability of the material to sustain load during the service life. The present paper evaluates the effect of variation of FA and IM on the pin bearing strength, tensile strength, modulus elongation at break and impact strength. Scanning electron microtopography indicates that the impact modifier forms a co-continuous phase at 10% of IM in PVC. Increase in void content decreases impact strength and tensile strength. As void content increases moisture absorption also increases. The results of pin bearing tests were analogous to tensile test and correlate well. Results were in accordance with impact modification theory. Moisture absorption was studied keeping in view outdoor applications.

Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering

Experimental Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Impact Modified Polyvinyl Chloride-Fly Ash Composites

Concrete is one of the popular construction material used all over the world. But, over the last few decades,polymer concrete is being introduced in order to fulfil various constructional requirements (such as zero water absorption,quick setting time, earthquake resistance, impact barriers, high flexural strength, chemical resistance, etc.) The objective ofthis project is to improve the properties of concrete by incorporating polymer system so as to make it suitable forapplications like industrial flooring, thin section precast walls, etc. The project aims at evaluating compressive strength andwater absorption of polymer based concrete system over conventional concrete with and without fibrous reinforcements. Thesystem consisted of Polyurethane (water based emulsified resin), hardener, white cement, fine silica and fibrousreinforcement (polyester fibres).Overall, six formulations with varying fibre content were used for the studies. The standardsamples based on conventional concrete as well as polyurethane based concrete system were casted and subsequently testedfor compressive strength and water absorption after 28 days’ post casting. In both the cases, it has been observed that thecompressive strength did not increase drastically with varying content of polyester. The polyurethane based concrete systemhas very low set (curing) time as compared to conventional concrete. The compressive strength achieved by polyurethanebase concrete within 3 days was around 80% of its total strength (28 days) while conventional concrete achieved strengtharound 60% of its total strength within 7days of time. In case of conventional concrete there is necessity of water for itscuring while polyurethane based concrete water present as dispersion medium itself serves the required purpose. It was alsoobserved that polymer system based concrete has compressive strength comparable with M35 mix design of conventionalconcrete. Hence, using polyurethane based concrete material for ordinary and standard conventional concrete applicationscan be beneficial.