via MIT
Scientists at Bath found that incorporating sugar units into polymers makes them more degradable when exposed to UV light
Many plastics that are labelled as biodegradable are only compostable under industrial conditions, but scientists at the University of Bath have now found a way to make plastics break down using only UV light.
As a result of increasing public concern over plastic waste, PLA (Poly(lactic acid)), created using lactic acid from the fermentation of sugars, is now widely used as a renewable, sustainable alternative to plastics derived from crude oil products – used in everything from disposable cups and teabags to 3D printing and packaging.
It is often labelled as biodegradable, however it has limited degradability in natural environments, for example in soil or in seawater, and it only degrades under industrial composting conditions of high temperatures and humidity – not achievable in domestic compost heaps.
Now scientists at the Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies (CSCT) at the University of Bath have developed a way that could make these plastics more degradable in the natural environment.
The team found that they can tweak the degradability of the plastic by incorporating different amounts of sugar molecules into the polymer.
They found that incorporating as little as three per cent sugar polymer units into PLA led to 40% degradation within six hours of exposure to UV light.
Most promisingly, the technology is compatible with existing plastic manufacturing processes, meaning it could potentially be tested and adopted quickly by the plastics industry.
Publishing in Chemical Communications (open access article), the researchers hope their findings will be used in the future by the plastics industry to help make plastic waste more degradable at the end of the life of the product.
Dr Antoine Buchard, Royal Society University Research Fellow and Reader in Polymer Chemistry from the CSCT, led the research, which was supported by the Royal Society.
He said: “Lots of plastics are labelled as biodegradable, but unfortunately this is only true if you dispose of it in an industrial waste composter – if put into domestic compost heaps, it can last for years.
“Most PLA plastics are made up of long polymer chains which can be difficult for water and enzymes to break down. Our research adds sugars into the polymer chains, linking everything together by bonds that can be broken using UV light.
“This weakens the plastic, breaking it down into smaller polymer chains that are then more sensitive to hydrolysis.
“This could make the plastic much more biodegradable in the natural environment, for example in in the ocean or in a garden compost heap.
“Previously scientists have looked at enhancing the degradability of PLA to water – hydrolysis – but this is the first time anyone has looked at using light.
“This strategy remains to be translated to real-life plastics objects and tested with sunlight, but we hope our technology could be used in the future to make plastics that are strong when you’re using them, but can break down easily when reuse and recycling are not possible anymore.”
Original Article: Scientists make plastic more degradable under UV light
More from: University of Bath
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Degradable plastic
- Plastic bags no longer accepted for curbside yard waste pickup
Plastic bags are no longer an option to contain yard waste for residential curbside pickup within the City of Sarasota. The City’s yard waste contractor, Veransa Group, will no longer process yard ...
- Bioplastics News Stream
One of the most dynamic categories in plastics is for bioplastics aka biopolymers and ... View post on X McDonalds, BASF collaborate on sourcing 100% sustainable packaging made with compostable ...
- Bacteria-seeded plastic is tough and degradable
Most TPU plastics used today end up in landfills. Some researchers are starting with biobased materials to make degradable or recyclable TPUs, but the materials’ mechanical properties are inferior to ...
- Origin pharma packaging says sector has significant challenges to adopt compostables
“This is because most pharmaceutical packaging is made from a durable, transparent plastic that is crucial in maintaining medication sterility, ensuring child resistance and keeping external ...
- Eastman, Sealed Air Partner to Develop Certified Compostable Protein Trays as an Alternative to Polystyrene Trays
Collaboration between industry leaders showcases value of a new sustainable innovation. KINGSPORT, TN and CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / /Eastman (NYSE:EMN) and Sealed Air (NYSE:SEE) are pleased to ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Degradable plastic
[google_news title=”” keyword=”degradable plastic” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Degrading plastic under UV light
- Hydrogel to tackle microplastic pollution
Researchers from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a sustainable hydrogel to remove tiny plastic particles from water using UV light irradiation. The hydrogel consists of intertwined ...
- One Part Epoxy Changes from Red to Clear Under UV Light
By giving immediate visual feedback UV15RCL offers processing and handling advantages over conventional systems. Curing under UV light typically takes 30-60 seconds with a broad-spectrum UV lamp ...
- Indian Scientists Design Material That Removes Microplastics From Water. Here's How
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), these tiny particles of plastic less than ... can bind the contaminants and degrade them using UV light irradiation.
- IISc researchers design novel hydrogel to remove microplastics from water
According to IISc, microplastics pose a great threat to human health as these tiny plastic debris can ... can bind the contaminants and degrade them using UV light irradiation.
- Novel hydrogel removes microplastics from water
These tiny plastic debris can enter our bodies ... polymer network that can bind the contaminants and degrade them using UV light irradiation. The research is published in the journal Nanoscale.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Degrading plastic under UV light
[google_news title=”” keyword=”degrading plastic under UV light” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]