A plastic entirely biodegradable in seawater has been developed. Image Credit: CEMS
Environment JapanThis Plastic Does Not Pollute
Replacing traditional plastics has been a long and arduous process, and scientists from one of Japan’s most prestigious scientific research institutes have developed a durable plastic that breaks down in seawater without contributing to the global problem of microplastic pollution.
“While the reversible nature of the bonds in supramolecular plastics has been thought to make them weak and unstable,” explains research leader Tazuko Aida, “our new materials are just the opposite.”
Current biodegradable plastics like polylactic acid – or PLA – often find their way to our oceans since they are not water-insoluble. Consequently, microplastics – bits smaller than 5 mm – sneak into the food chain and our bodies and harm aquatic life. The solution to this problem appears to be through supramolecular plastics – polymers with structures held together by reversible interactions. The researchers combined two ionic monomers that form cross-linked salt bridges soluble only when exposed to electrolytes like those found in seawater. The new plastics are non-toxic and non-flammable – meaning no CO2 emissions – and can be reshaped at temperatures above 120°C like other thermoplastics. “With this new material, we have created a new family of plastics that are strong, stable, recyclable, can serve multiple functions, and, importantly, do not generate microplastics,” says Aida.
