Recycled polymers may contain low molecular weight impurities as the degraded products of polymer and additive or contaminants. Those low molecular weight compounds may cause odors. In this technical report, we introduce the cause analysis of the odor in recycled polypropylene (PP).

Considering the recycling of automotive materials, it is essential to reuse polypropylene (PP). However, unexpected physical properties often occur in using recycled polymers. We investigated the factors for the deterioration of the physical properties of recycled PP with different grades.

Simple isolation process and quantification of MP in surfacewater !

We obtained Raman images at the intersections single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Raman spectra using a reflection-type tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) system with a high spatial resolution of less than 20 nm, using a n original TERS tip. Consequently, we observed a significant change in the Raman spectra at the intersection between semiconducting and metallic SWCNTs and concluded that the intersection is mainly at least under a compressive stress of approximately 5 GPa.

We developed a reflection-type tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy system with a high spatial resolution to be able to apply for many kinds of opaque samples and obtained Raman images and Raman spectra at the edges of graphene oxide (GO) films using this system. TERS is an outstanding technique for characterizing the structures of GO films !

In the case that recycled polymer is used, some troubles (e.g. molding defects, discoloration) can be occurred due to polymer degradation and impurity. Structure change of polymer and degradation of additive in recycled Nylon 6 were investigated by several kinds of analytical methods.

When the recycled glass-fiber reinforced nylon 6 was used, the tensile strength decreased. Several kind of analyses (e.g. nano-indentation, X-ray CT, OM and SEM) were carried out to find out the cause of the decrease in strength.