Revolutionary Biodegradable Plastic Breaks Down in Oceans, Reducing Microplastic Pollution
Researchers from the RIKEN CENTER FOR EMERGENT SCIENCES(CEMS) led by Takuzo Aida have developed a biodegradable plastic that will dissolve in seawater. Leading to the invention of a new sustainable material that solves the microplastics pollution problem in oceans and soil.
The problem with current biodegradable plastics
Current biodegradable plastics like PLA often end up in water bodies and they cannot biodegrade since they are non-soluble in water. As such, microplastics- plastics that are less than 5mm – are finding their way into oceans and aquatic life. Microplastics interfere with the food chain and can end up in human bodies when we consume fish or other aquatic life.
The Innovative Solution: Supramolecular Plastics
Supramolecular plastics are polymers with structures held together by reversible reactions. The biodegradable plastic was made by combining two ionic monomers – sodium hexametaphosphate and guanidinium ion-based monomers that form cross linked salt bridges. Sodium hexametaphosphate is a common food additive. Both monomers can be broken down by bacteria, thus making the plastic biodegradable as it is broken down into its components, leaving us with a sustainable material.
