Grantee Research Project Results
2022 Progress Report: Planet-friendly and scalable approach towards 100% recyclable water- and oil-resistant paper
EPA Grant Number: SV840382Title: Planet-friendly and scalable approach towards 100% recyclable water- and oil-resistant paper
Investigators: Rabnawaz, Muhammad , Ganapathi, Anurag
Institution: Michigan State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Phase: II
Project Period: April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2024
Project Period Covered by this Report: April 1, 2022 through March 31,2023
Project Amount: $99,768
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2022) Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Objective:
The main goal and vision of this work is to develop planet-friendly water- and grease-resistant paper as an alternative to the existing plastics (e.g., polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)) and PFAS-coated paper that respectively generate microplastics and fluorochemicals in the environment. This goal and vision is being achieved by pursuing the following two specific objectives.
- Specific Objective 1: Replace starch/chitosan-g-PDMS with starch-g-PDMS as an inexpensive paper coating material.
- Specific Objective 2: Enhance the water-resistance of starch-g-PDMS-coated paper using hydrophobic starch, solid plasticizers, and cellulose fibers.
Progress Summary:
Starch-g-PDMS, which was produced through reactive extrusion, provided water and oil resistance with Cobb600 and kit rating values of 7.6 g/m2 and 8/12, respectively. In contrast, we found no significant enhancement in water and oil resistance properties when hydrophobic starch, solid plasticizers, or cellulose fibers were used as fillers with starch-g-PDMS. Among all the systems evaluated, PDMS-starch where PDMS had a high molecular weight and bore COOH groups emerged as the most effective in terms of performance.
Future Activities:
- Complete a detailed study on the PDMS-starch system.
- Write and submit a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Sustainability, P3 Awards, P3 Challenge Area – Chemicals, PDMS, StarchRelevant Websites:
Michigan State University - School of Packaging Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
Functionalized Membranes for Removal of PFAS | 2021 Progress Report | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.