EnJoiPol - Environment Joins Polymers

EnjoiPol comprises several interesting research activities in the framework of the development and characterization of hybrid polymeric nanomaterials. The mission is to develop concrete solutions to the modern environmental challenges such as the pollution of natural water supplies, marine environment, and soil due to the presence of emerging contaminants such as microplastics, pesticides and fertilizers, heavy metals and drugs. Specifically, EnjoiPol research activities concern: a)chemical and structural characterization of plastics and microplastics present in marine environment and soil; in particular, the study of their interaction with organic and inorganic contaminants and their adsorption/release behaviour in the media.1 Part of the work is devoted to the valorisation of plastic debris collected from the sea, obtaining biofuel by means of pyrolysis treatment; b)formulation and study of innovative nano-systems coated with chitosan or alginate, for the realization of safe nano-fertilisers with low environmental impact;2 c)synthesis of acrylic and vinyl hydrogels/cryogels, properly functionalised for the selective removal of organic and inorganic contaminants from water. Specifically, we focused our attention on the sequestration of heavy metals3, drugs and pesticides4, by using chelation and molecular imprinting strategies. Hybrid organic/inorganic nanomaterials have been designed and synthesised, by combining the polyacrylates with organic photoactive units. The final hybrid nano-systems can perform selective removal and photodegradation of the contaminants at the polymer/water interface until mineralization.5 The patented polymer materials are currently involved in the industrial scale up activities, as well as the technology transfer process, including business study and marketing analysis; d)formulation and characterization of new bio-based polymer nanocomposites for the realization of rigid and sustainable packaging. Study of the degradation induced by UV light irradiation and by exposure to marine environment.6 Acknowledgements: the authors really thank all the people and institution involved in the projects Papillion, Clean, Antìbio, Samothrace, CrioPura References [1]. Submitted: Chemosphere [2]. Leonardi M., Caruso M.G., Carroccio S.C., Boninelli S., Curcuruto G., Zimbone M., Allegra M., Torrisi B., Ferlito F., Miritello M.; Smart nanocomposites of chitosan/alginate nanoparticles loaded with copper oxide as alternative nanofertilizers; Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021, 8, 174187. [3]. Brevetto e CEJ 2020 [4]. Zagni C., Dattilo S., Mecca T., Gugliuzzo C., Scamporrino A. A., Privitera V., Puglisi R., Carroccio S. C.; Single and dual polymeric sponges for emerging pollutants removal, European Polymer Journal, 2022, 179, 111556