Scientists develop new plastics that break down safely

 Scientists develop new plastics that break down safely Dr. Vijay Garg

A team of scientists, led by Rutgers University chemist Yuwei Gu in particular, has made a significant breakthrough in developing new plastics that are designed to degrade safely and naturally in everyday situations. The research addresses one of the biggest global challenges: the persistence of plastic pollution. Borrowing from nature’s blueprint The origin of this research stems from observing how natural polymers, such as DNA and cellulose, break down relatively easily over time, unlike synthetic plastics, which can take centuries. The researchers found that nature creates small “helping groups” in polymer chains that make them easier to break down. By mimicking this principle, the Rutgers team has designed synthetic plastics with a chemical structure that is programmed to degrade. Key method: Scientists strategically arranged segments within the plastic’s chemical structure so that they were in the perfect position to begin breaking down when activated. They “pre-folded” the material to easily tear apart. Controllable degradation: Importantly, the precise spatial arrangement of these neighboring groups dramatically changes the rate of degradation. This allows the same plastic to be engineered to break down over a period of days, months, or years, depending on the intended use. Versatility and safety Unlike many “biodegradable” plastics that require special industrial composting facilities or harsh conditions, this new method allows the plastic to degrade in ordinary, everyday environments without the need for high heat or harsh chemicals. Trigger mechanism: Degradation can be built-in or turned on or off using external triggers such as ultraviolet (UV) light or metal ions, adding another layer of control for manufacturers and recyclers. Safety of by-products: Initial laboratory tests have indicated that the liquid produced by the breakdown process is not toxic. However, further research is being conducted to fully confirm the non-toxic nature of the degradation products. The broader context of biodegradable plastics This development is part of a growing trend in materials science focused on developing more sustainable plastic alternatives to combat the global crisis, including: Enzyme-embedded plastics: Researchers have embedded polyester-eating enzymes inside the plastic, which then begin to break down the material into its basic building blocks, such as lactic acid, within weeks through heat and water. Ocean-degradable plastics: Other innovations include sustainable plastics that use seawater-degradable bonds (such as cross-linked salt bridges) that are easily broken down by the ocean's salinity, preventing microplastic pollution in marine environments. Bio-based materials: Bio-based and biodegradable polymers derived from feedstocks such as starch, plant proteins (such as pea and soy), or food waste sugars, including materials such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA), have also seen significant market growth. The ultimate goal of this research is to create materials that perform well during use but then naturally degrade, providing a practical, chemistry-based solution to redesign materials for a circular economy. Dr. Vijay Garg Retired Principal ‌ Educational Columnist Eminent Educationist Gali Kaur Chand M.H.R. Malout Punjab