Researchers at Japan’s RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have introduced the discovery of a revolutionary plastic that retains its strength in real-world use, while disappearing quickly in saltwater. This technology could be a major leap forward in stopping ocean pollution and decreasing microplastics.
The research, headed by Takuzo Aida, presents a supramolecular plastic produced from two ionic monomers that form cross-linked salt bridges. Unlike regular plastics, which can last for centuries in environments, this emerging material disintegrates into non-harmful components, when immersed in seawater.
A major innovation in the research was the “desalting” method, that reinforced the plastic’s longevity while making it decompose specifically in sea environments. One of the monomers, sodium hexametaphosphate, is usable as food additive and with that the plastic can biodegrade. When exposed to seawater, the substance degrades within hours, characteristics that might bring down plastic material waste in oceans by a huge margin.
This discovery contradicts the notion that supramolecular plastics are inherently weak said Aida. “We have created a material that is both durable and sustainable.”
Innovation has the potential to revolutionize the packaging and disposable plastics, environmentally reduce the damage while maintaining practical usability. As anxiety mounts over plastic contamination, this occurrence may represent the first big step forward to a greener, cleaner world.
