MTA-BME Lendület Sustainable Polymers Research Group

Project summary

Closing the product life cycle loop through recycling and reuse is the key to transitioning to a circular economy. This project will address the challenges of establishing a circular economy for all types of polymers, from sourcing during production to monitoring and repair during use, to recycling and functional redesign at end-of-life. The main challenge in sustainable polymer design is to create inherently recyclable thermoset polymers and recyclable thermoplastic polymer systems for structural applications. The project aims to develop recyclable vitrimer systems and thermoset polymers from potentially renewable sources for high-performance composites and self-reinforced polymer composites from ε-caprolactam for potential replacement of short-fibre reinforced polyamide 6 composites. Extending lifespan can be a relevant strategy for structural polymer composites to minimise their environmental impact. The project aims to develop durable and damage-tolerant composite structures, improve non-destructive testing methods, integrate sensors for continuous monitoring, and include healing and repair capabilities. As the mechanical recycling of thermoplastics is a well-established technology, the focus of this research is to identify sustainable recycling methods for difficult-to-recycle polymer systems for which industrial-scale solutions have not yet been developed, including innovative polymer matrices, fibre reinforcement and polymer additives. The underutilization of sustainable strategies in product design leads to the downcycling of polymer waste. We will develop value-added safe-by-design recycled and recyclable polymers and composites by upcycling and methods for predicting and modelling their properties.

Project results

Project-related publications

1. 
   Budavári B., Karancsi Á., Pinke B. G., Pállinger É., Juriga-Tóth K., Király M., Szász Zs., Voszka I., Molnár K., Kőhidai L., Jedlovszky-Hajdú A., S Nagy K.: Long-term shelf-life liposomes for delivery of prednisolone and budesonide. Journal of Molecular Liquids , 394, 123756/1-123756/13 (2024) 10.1016/j.molliq.2023.123756 IF=6 Q1
2. 
   Poór Dániel István, Tobey Marina, Taynton Philip, Pomázi Ákos, Toldy Andrea, Geier Norbert: A comparative machinability analysis of polyimine vitrimer, epoxy and polycarbonate polymers through orthogonal machining experiments. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, , s00170-024-13087-9/1-s00170-024-13087-9/16 (2024) 10.1007/s00170-024-13087-9 IF=3.4 Q2
3. 
   Molnár K.: Combination of nanofibers with 3D-printed or 4D-printed structures. Express Polymer Letters, 18, 243-244 (2024) 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2024.17 IF=3.3 Q2
4. 
   Virág Á. D., Juhász Zs., Kossa A., Molnár K.: Combining oscillatory shear rheometry and dynamic mechanical analysis to obtain wide-frequency master curves. Polymer, 295, 126742/1-126742/11 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2024.126742 IF=4.6 Q1
5. 
   Juhász Á. Gy., Nanys M., Pinke B., Fadel A., Godzierz M., Juriga-Tóth K., Molnár K., Juriga D., Jedlovszky-Hajdú A.: Formation of Three-Dimensional PolysuccinimideElectrospun Fiber Meshes Induced by the Combination ofCaCl2and Humidity. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, , 2300625/1-2300625/12 (2024) 10.1002/marc.202300625 IF=4.6 Q1
6. 
   Kovács Zs., Toldy A.: Synergistic flame retardant coatings for carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide 6 composites based on expandable graphite, red phosphorus, and magnesium oxide. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 222, 110696/1-110696/ (2024) 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2024.110696 IF=5.9 D1
7. 
   Dózsa G., Sántha P., Tamás-Bényei P.: Fehér töltőanyagot tartalmazó gumikeverékek fejlesztése. Polimerek, X. évf., 34-40 (2024)
8. 
   Gere D., Pomázi F., Szöllősi A., Jahanpeyma P., Ermilov A. A., Baranya S., Toldy A.: Mikroműanyag szennyezés vizsgálata a Duna budapesti szakaszán. Polimerek, 2, 66-72 (2024)
9. 
   Toldy A.: Challenges and opportunities of polymer recycling in the changing landscape of European legislation.
10. 
    Zielinski D., Szpecht A., Pomázi Á., Kovács Zs., Szolnoki B., Pinke B., Toldy A., Smiglak M.: Multifunctional modifying systems based on ionic liquids for epoxy resin systems and composites. Applied Sciences, 13, 10661/1-10661/ (2023) 10.3390/app131910661 IF=2.7 Q2
11. 
    Gere D., Toldy A.: Az EU két éve betiltotta az oxidatív úton lebomló, széttöredező polimerből készülttermékeket, amelyek hozzájárultak a mikroműanyagok keletkezéséhez.
12. 
    Tamás-Bényei Péter: The effect of salt water on the properties of basalt fibre reinforced composites. Acta Materialia Transylvanica, 6., 105-113 (2023) 10.33924/amt-2023-02-08