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Analysis of institutional authors

Beltrán FrCorresponding AuthorArrieta MpCorresponding AuthorGaspar GAuthorUrreaga JmAuthor

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August 31, 2020
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Effect of iignocellulosic nanoparticles extracted from yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on the structural, thermal, optical and barrier properties of mechanically recycled poly(lactic acid)

Publicated to:Polymers. 12 (8): E1690- - 2020-08-01 12(8), DOI: 10.3390/POLYM12081690

Authors: Beltran, Freddys R; Arrieta, Marina P; Gaspar, Gerald; de la Orden, Maria U; Martinez Urreaga, Joaquin

Affiliations

Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales - Author
Grp Invest Polimeros Caracterizac & Aplicac POLCA, Madrid 28006, Spain - Author
Grupo de Investigación: Polímeros - Author
Univ Complutense Madrid, Fac Opt & Optometria, Dept Quim Organ, Madrid 28037, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Dept Ingn Quim Ind & Medio Ambiente, ETSI Ind, Madrid 28006, Spain - Author
Universidad Complutense de Madrid - Author
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Abstract

© 2020 by the authors. In this work, yerba mate nanoparticles (YMNs) were extracted from Ilex paraguairiencis yerba mate wastes and further used to improve the overall performance of mechanically recycled PLA (PLAR). Recycled PLA was obtained by melt reprocessing PLA subjected to an accelerated ageing process, which involved photochemical, thermal and hydrothermal ageing steps, as well as a final demanding washing step. YMNs (1 and 3 wt. %) were added to the PLAR during the melt reprocessing step and further processed into films. The main goal of the development of PLAR-YMNs bionanocomposites was to increase the barrier properties of recycled PLA, while showing good overall performance for food packaging applications. Thus, optical, structural, thermal, mechanical and barrier properties were evaluated. The incorporation ofYMNsled to transparent greenish PLAR-based films with an effective blockage of harmful UV radiation. From the backbone FTIR stretching region (bands at 955 and 920 cm-1), it seems that YMNs favor the formation of crystalline domains acting as nucleating agents for PLAR. The morphological investigations revealed the good dispersion of YMNs in PLAR when they are used in the lowest amount of 1 wt. %, leading to bionanocomposites with improved mechanical performance. Although the addition of high hydrophilic YMNs increased the water vapor transmission, the addition of 1 wt. % of YMNs enhanced the oxygen barrier performance of the produced bionanocomposite films. These results show that the synergistic revalorization of post-consumer PLA and nanoparticles obtained from agri-food waste is a potential way for the production of promising packaging materials that meet with the principles of the circular economy.

Keywords

bionanocompositesmechanical recyclingpoly(lactic acid)BehaviorBionanocomposite filmsBionanocompositesCellulose nanocrystalsMechanical recyclingNanofibersPlaPoly(lactic acid)Yerba mate

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Polymers due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2020, it was in position 18/90, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Polymer Science.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 2.44, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Oct 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-10-26, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 13
  • Scopus: 21
  • Europe PMC: 2
  • Google Scholar: 19

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-10-26:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 77.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 77 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (BELTRAN GONZALEZ, FREDDYS) and Last Author (MARTINEZ URREAGA, JOAQUIN MARIA).

the authors responsible for correspondence tasks have been BELTRAN GONZALEZ, FREDDYS and ARRIETA DILLON, MARINA PATRICIA.