Pablo Martínez-Juarez
WriterEnvironmental economist and science journalist. For a few years, I worked as a researcher on the economics of climate change adaptation. Now I write about that and much more.
Throughout much of human history, the primary concern has been finding or producing food to sustain our population. Millennia of agricultural development have brought humanity to a point where food scarcity is no longer a pressing issue in most parts of the world. However, society now faces a different challenge: waste.
A new type of plastic. To address this problem, a team of researchers has developed a new type of plastic. According to a study published in Nature, this innovative material is highly durable yet can also be easily recycled.
A recyclable alternative. The new plastic is an alternative to conventional thermoset plastics. These materials are known for their durability and are commonly used in several industries. They’re also found in numerous everyday objects, from wheels to bowling balls.
The unique feature that makes these thermoset plastics so resistant is their crosslinked polymer structure. While this structure contributes to their durability, the team behind the new plastic material explains that it also makes them impossible to recycle.
Double polymerization. To create the new type of plastic, researchers began with dihydrofuran (DHF), a cyclic monomer with double bonds that can be made from biological materials. The development team explains that this process involved two stages of polymerization. The second of them results in a crosslinked polymer.
In the first stage, the circular structures of DHF are cleaved and then linked together. This process creates a flexible, soft polymer that’s also recyclable and can degrade in acidic conditions. Importantly, this stage retains part of the monomer intact.
In the second polymerization stage, the circular monomers remain intact instead of opening up and intertwining. Thanks to their double bonds, the monomers bind to each other and to the polymer created in the first stage while maintaining their cyclic structure. This stage is responsible for hardening the final material.
A more sustainable process. The resulting polymer is recyclable through a heating process and can break down naturally in the environment. Additionally, the material can be modified by adjusting several process parameters, such as the reaction time or the number of catalysts used. For example, altering the light exposure during the process makes it possible to produce either harder or more flexible versions of the plastic.
“The whole process, from creating to reusing, is more environmentally friendly than current materials,” study author Reagan Dreiling said in a press release.
Image | Possessed Photography
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