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Natural polymer-based adhesives are green alternatives, necessary to reduce the problems impacted by synthetic adhesives. Starch and gelatin have extraordinary potential for the synthesis of biobased adhesives. Citric acid (CA), a natural acid, induces the crosslinking and hydrolyzing of both gelatin and starch. In this sense, this work deals with the use of gelatin capsule residues as a promising material to produce biobased adhesives in combination with cassava starch in the presence of different CA concentrations characterizing their mechanical, physicochemical and microstructural properties. Depending on CA concentration, formulations adjusted to different applications can be obtained such as liquid and pressure-sensitive adhesive films. The inclusion of CA allows us not only to improve the applicability of the system since it modifies the flowability of the adhesives as evidenced by the observed changes in the viscosity (from 158.3 to 90.3 for formulations with 20 and 80% CA, respectively). In addition, mechanical profiles showed that the inclusion of CA increased the adhesive bond strength (from 2230.7 to 2638.7 for formulations with 20 and 80% CA, respectively). Structural modifications induced by CA in adhesive formulations were highlighted by ATR-FTIR analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose --This article aims to analyze normative isomorphism as a mechanism for institutional change and its potential contribution to the institutionalization of the Circular Economy in the packaging market in Brazil. Methodology -- A qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with a semi-structured script. 23 people from the First sector -- government, 15 people from the Second sector -- market, and 15 people from the Third sector -- Non-Governmental Organizations were interviewed. The snowball sampling technique was used to select the interviewees. The content analysis was conducted with categories defined while exploring the data collected, a posteriori, with NVivo software. Findings -- In Brazil, the pressure for socio-environmental product improvements is concentrated on a portion of the population. Most people focus on economic issues. In addition, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and supervisory government agencies play a crucial role in directly demanding that laws are complied with and in encouraging and instructing civil society related to the Circular Economy and sustainability. Research implications -- This article contributes to filling gaps identified in the literature, such as Circular Economy studies that investigate the dynamics of stakeholders. Practical implications -- The research shows that there is room for organizations that operate in the packaging market in Brazil to develop and disseminate actions related to the Circular Economy and sustainability to their consumers, which can become a competitive advantage in the sector. Originality/value -- The research pointed out that the perception of those involved in this supply chain is still not unanimous regarding society's demand for a circular economy and sustainable actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposite coatings are designed to offer useful surface coatings that are relatively inexpensive and have exceptional properties for anticorrosion, antibacterial, and adhesive applications. The impact of poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 structure on the protection capabilities of epoxy coating was investigated by Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), and Antibacterial activity studies. In comparison to pure epoxy coatings, EP-P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 nanocomposite on tinplate exhibits higher protection against coating degradation. The coating resistance (Rcoat) of the EP-P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 nanocomposite was determined to be 4854.70 kΩ.cm2. The Rcoat of EP-P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 nanocomposite coating was observed to be over 38 times greater than EP coating. SECM analysis displays less noticeable current distribution for the EP-P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2. The analyses of degradation products by XRD and SEM/EDX confirm the influence of functionalized SnO2 particles in protecting ability of epoxy coating. The EP-P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 nanocomposite coating's hydrophobic property (θ = 145°) was validated. The proposed nanocomposite coatings have improved mechanical characteristics. The findings demonstrate that the antibacterial activity of the EP-P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 nanocomposite in wells was higher than that of pure EP. The addition of P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 nanoparticles to the epoxy matrix prevented material degradation and helped to extend the life of the coated tinplates. The newly synthesised EP-P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 nanocomposite provided an outstanding barrier and mechanical properties. Therefore, EP-P(Aam-co-AAc)/SnO2 nanocomposite could be used as the potential coating material in food packaging industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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