Stefano Besco

Structural and Mechanical Characterization of Sustainable Composites Based on Recycled and Stabilized Fly Ash

This paper reports the results on the use of an innovative inert, based on stabilized fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration as a filler for polypropylene. The starting material, which contains large quantities of leachable Pb and Zn, was stabilized by means of an innovative process using rice husk ash as a waste silica source, together with other fly ashes, such as coal fly ash and flue gas desulfurization residues. The use of all waste materials to obtain a new filler makes the proposed technology extremely sustainable and competitive. The new composites, obtained by using the stabilized material as a filler for polypropylene, were characterized and their mechanical properties were also investigated. A comparison with a traditional polypropylene and calcium carbonate based compound was also done. This research activity was realized in the frame of the COSMOS-RICE project, financed by the EU Commission.

Application of empirical modelling in multi-layers membrane manufacturing

Abstract Multistructured membranes based on ultrafine fibers of polymethylmethacrylate-co-methacrylic acid (PMMA-co-MAA) and TiO2 nanoparticles have been obtained by electrohydrodynamic (EHD) technologies, for active filter media manufacturing. Process optimization of the nanofibers based layers has been investigated by response surface methodology (RSM) in order to predict the domain of the parameters where the smallest fiber diameter can be achieved. A quantitative relationship between electrospinning parameters and the responses (mean diameter and standard deviation) was established and then the final multi-layers structure of nanofibers and nanoparticles has been achieved for a controlled and robust process. The nanostructured membranes have been characterized by SEM imaging, EDAX, TGA analysis and water vapour permeability and their photocatalytic activity has been tested on VOCs degradation.

ABS Based Nanocomposites

A discussion about the state of art regarding ABS based nanocomposites has been proposed considering the different aspects regarding their synthesis and production as well as the effects of nanofillers on physical and thermal properties of the polymer itself and of its most common blends. Classic melt-blending process has been compared with low temperature solvent based techniques. The effectiveness of more recent ultrasonic-mixing assisted solution processes has been assessed as well together with the perspective uses of innovative characterization techniques based on confocal microscopy. Regarding thermal stability during processing, the effects of innovative synthetic organic modifiers have been analyzed, with particularly good results reported for imidazolium salts based modifiers. Flammability and fire behavior have been extensively investigated analyzing possible solutions given by the combination of nanofillers with traditional halogen based or alternative halogen-free flame retardants. ABS blends have also been considered in order to study the selective localization of OMMT and MWCNTs in complex multicomponent systems.