Description:

Environmentally Friendly Plastics for Everyday Applications

Abstract
The presence of plastics in the environment is a problem of increasing concern for scientists, governments and people in general. Plastic debris with different sizes, from meters to nanometers, are being found even in the more remote parts of the world. Some species are directly affected, in particular fishes, marine birds, turtles and marine mammals. But, it is not clear how plastic (micro and nano plastics) may affect other species and even human beings.
Biodegradable (and even edible) plastics are alternatives that are gaining preferences among the population. However, several improvements have to be done to mach the properties of the conventional plastics. In this direction the combination of nanoloads and nanofibers provides possible solution for mechanical reinforcement and functionalization of this novel materials.
Some advances in the preparation and characterization of nanocomposites caseinate based films and poly-vinyl alcohol based meshes will be presented.

Bio
Associated Professor, Universidad Nacional de San Martín -UNSAM-
Secretary of Research, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, 3iA-UNSAM-
Principal Researcher, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología -CONICET-, Argentina
Degree in Chemistry (Licenciado) at University of Buenos Aires
Doctor by the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (Chemistry)
Posdoctoral studies at University of Wisconsin
Research topics: Advanced oxidation. Photocatalysis. Nanocomposites for environmental applications.
Teaching topics: Water and soil contamination. Inorganic Chemistry