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Working towards polymer sustainability is one of the key considerations in solving plastic pollution. Currently, thermosets and composites fabricated with the biobased seed oil polymer matrix have constraints of lower reactivity and overall mechanical strength. In this research, we tried to overcome this challenge by functionalization of seed oils (linseed and soybean oil). The reactivity of the conventional seed oils was increased by norbornylization technique. The functionalized seed oils were also epoxidized later and fabricated to thermosets and composites via both non-epoxide and epoxide curing routes. Next, thermally treated biomass sorghum fillers were incorporated into the system for increasing biobased content coupled with weight savings, cost-effectiveness, and better interface adhesion and mechanical properties. The recyclability of such thermosets was also investigated in lieu of the dynamic sulfur bonds incorporated via the curing agent. Finally, natural fiber-reinforced “green” composites were also fabricated and studied.Second, complex tire particles were subjected to abiotic weathering, and their degradation intermediates were investigated and quantified. Further, samples from roadside soil soils were collected, analyzed, and quantified to understand the tire additives prevailing for longer times in the environment. Thus the second part of the dissertation created a knowledge database on sustainable product development by concentrating on polymer degradation and common tire leachates in the environment. |
