Researchers from Colorado State University developed a new type of biodegradable polymer using the monomer Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). The new plastic transforms back into its initial molecular state when heated. Fully recyclable, reusable, biodegradable and petroleum-free, the new plastic can change the way people use plastic.
The monomer GBL is found in cleaning solutions and superglue. Past research said monomer GBL's chemical structure was too steady to make into plastic but the researchers pushed ahead.
Past findings suggest that monomer GBL can't be converted into a polymer due to the measured reaction thermodynamics. Chemistry Professor Eugene Chen and his team doubted the previous reports and tried to convert monomer GBL into a polymer, which resulted in a breakthrough.
The resulting, new polymer is called poly(GBL) that converts back into monomer GBL when heated between 220 to 300 degrees Celsius or 420 to 570 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes. Chen and his team are determined to create degradable polymers and plastic to replace the current petroleum-based ones.
The most common manmade polymer is plastic. Synthetic polymers such as polystyrene and polyethylene contribute largely to landfills and oceans. Technically, the plastic packages and bottles marked "recyclable" can be only be reused to a specific extent. However, it is impossible to transform the used plastic materials to their original state and create new ones.
"The big drive now is to produce biorenewable and biodegradable polymers or plastics. That is, however, only one part of the solution, as biodegradable polymers are not necessarily recyclable, in terms of feedstock recycling," said Chen.
Over 270 million tons of plastic are created annually and about 18 million tonnes end up in the oceans. Approximately, every person worldwide is consuming about 200 pounds of plastic made of synthetic polymers annually.
"In my 15 years at CSU, I would probably call this my group's most exciting piece of work," added Chen, a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge awardee.
Tulane University chemist Scott Grayson, who wasn't involved in the study, commended Chen's research and described the findings "a nice step in the right direction." Grayson likened the discovery of a biodegradable, bioavailable and recyclable polymer to finding the Holy Grail in the field.
The research was published in the journal Nature Chemistry on Nov. 23.
Photo: Steven Depolo | Flickr
