from waste to energy: recycled polypropylene reinforced with copper nanowires for low-cost conductive urban printing

Plastic waste management is one of the major challenges in urban and industrial settings, and recycling polypropylene (pp) can play a key role in reducing environmental impacts while producing functional products. in this study, recycled pp was reinforced with copper nanowires (cu nws) as electrical and thermal conductors to produce robust and conductive 3d-printed samples. the prepared samples containing 0.5 and 1 wt.% cu nws exhibited an increase in electrical conductivity from 10-12 s/cm for pure pp to approximately 1.5×10-2 and 4×10-2 s/cm, respectively. mechanical properties, including tensile strength and flexural resistance, also increased by up to 18% and 22%, respectively. these nanocomposites have potential applications in small batteries, sensors, and low-energy urban heating elements, such as anti-freezing water pipes and heated urban panels. utilizing recycled pp not only reduces waste but also provides a sustainable and cost-effective approach for developing low-energy technologies.