The laboratories of Riken Center for Emergent Matter Science Of Wakonear Tokyo, have produced a material that could change the approach to the problem of plastic in oceans. The new compound, developed in collaboration with theUniversity of Tokyocompletely dissolves in salted water in 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the piece.
During laboratory demonstrations, researchers showed how a fragment of the material completely disappeared in a salted water container after about an hour of agitation. The process leaves no residual traces, unlike the biodegradable plastics currently available.
The composition of the new material
The material is based on a combination of two common substances: sodium examination of sodium, normally used as a food additive, and monomers containing guanidinium ions, employed as fertilizers. The research, published on the Science magazinedescribes how these compounds form ties with a saline bridge in the water, creating a reticulated supramolecular network.
Takuzo Aidaresponsible for the project, explained to Reuters That the material maintains the resistance characteristics of traditional plastics derived from oil, but decomposes in its original components when exposed to salt. “Children cannot choose the planet they will live on. It is our duty, like scientists, to guarantee them the best possible environment,” said Aida.
Advantages compared to existing biodegradable plastics
The peculiarity of this material lies in its ability to decompose without generating microplastic, one of the main threats for marine ecosystems. When dissolving, it releases elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus that can be processed by bacteria naturally present in the environment or absorbed by the plants.
The material has interesting technical characteristics: it is non -toxic, non -flammable and does not emit carbon dioxide during decomposition. The presence of salt in the ground also allows degradation on the mainland, where a piece of about five centimeters disintegrates after over 200 hours.
Practical applications and future developments
Visually similar to a glass sheetthe material can be used as conventional plastics once covered with appropriate coating. The research team is currently focusing efforts on the most effective coating methods to make the product waterproof when necessary.
The research has already aroused interest in the packaging sector, according to Aida reported, even if specific plans have not yet been detailed for marketing. The approach can also be extended to supramolecular materials based on polysaccharides, opening possibilities for applications in three -dimensional printing.
The context of the plastic emergency
The data of the United Nations program for the environment indicate that theplastic pollution could triple by 2040, with a projection of 23-37 million tons of plastic waste issued annually in the oceans. In this scenario, the search for effective alternatives to traditional plastics takes on particular relevance.
The new Japanese material is part of a global research panorama that seeks innovative solutions to the growing plastic waste crisis. The peculiarity of the liquid-liquid phase separation process, which expels the sodium sulphate generated by the bonds with a saline bridge, represents an unpublished approach in the field of biodegradable materials.
The dried material behaves like a traditional thermoplastic, remodelable and recyclable, maintaining stability in watery environments thanks to hydrophobic coatings such as the Parilene C. This versatility could facilitate its adoption in different industrial applications, from the production of disposable packaging to more complex components.
The research represents a significant step towards the development of materials that combine the mechanical properties of traditional plastics with the ability to quick and safe decomposition in marine environments, without compromising performance during use.
