In what could be a breakthrough in material science, researchers are now trying to harness the harmful carbondioxide as a raw material to produce sustainable, degradable polymers or plastics as a potential alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic.
- This would not only reduce CO2 emissions but also produce a sustainable polymer product using the CO2.
- Further development could hopefully allow for its use in highly specialised polymers for biomedical and energy storage applications.
THE PROCESS: Claiming to be the first of its kind study, the researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, have demonstrated the direct synthesis of what's known as a cyclic carbonate monomer—a molecule made of carbon and oxygen atoms that can be linked with other molecules—made from CO2 and lignin.
- By linking multiple monomers together, the scientists can create synthetic polymers, long-chained molecules that can be designed to fill all manner of applications.
- The research was published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
SUSTAINABLE CREDENTIALS: The material developed is fully degradable at the end of its life without producing microplastics and toxic substances.
- It can be synthesised at lower pressures and temperatures. And the polymer can be recycled without losing its original properties.
- Using depolymerisation, the researchers can convert polymers to pure monomers, which are the building blocks of polymers. This is the key to the high quality of the recycled material.
- The monomers can be recycled indefinitely and produce a high-quality polymer as good as the original, an improvement over previously developed and currently used polymer materials in which repeated heat exposure from melting reduces quality and allows for limited recycling.
THE FUNDING: The FSU Office of Commercialization provided valuable foundational support for the research.
- The project was supported by federal funds awarded to the State of Florida from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and support from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. Postdoctoral researcher Arijit Ghorai was the lead author of the study.
WHAT THEY SAID:
The newly developed material could be used for low-cost, short lifespan plastic products in such sectors as construction, agriculture, packaging, cosmetics, textiles, diapers and disposable kitchenware.
— Hoyong Chung
Associate Professor, Chemical & Biomedical Engineering
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
