Scientists accidentally created a new type of plastic that disintegrates in a week under the influence of the sun and oxygen

Scientists around the world are working to create a version of plastic that degrades in nature much faster and safer. But often, discoveries happen at random.

Thus, a new type of plastic was demonstrated in China, which fully decomposes into safe components in just seven days under the influence of sunlight and oxygen. According to scientists, this version of plastic will allow the production of electronics, which in the future will be easy to dispose of without serious environmental problems.

The emergence of new material

The new material was obtained during the work of Liang Luo (China Huazhong University of Science and Technology) on an improved type of chemical sensor.

The scientist worked to create a polymer film that would change its original light depending on the pH level.

Moreover, this process of change was due to the innovative molecular structure of the material, in which a chain of monomers give the film a dark red color and it (color) is washed out when the internal bonds lose their relevance.

So during the next experiment, Lowe found out that the rich red color of the film quickly enough disappeared, and then the material completely disintegrated after a few days of its presence on Sun.

And it turns out that while working on a solution to another problem, the scientist found, probably, a promising environmentally friendly version of it.

At the same time, the molecular composition of the created new type of plastic is not suitable for use in soda bottles or in plastic bags.

And the thing is that the resulting plastic remains stable as a functional material only when it is in complete darkness and does not come into contact with oxygen.

But if the material is left in the light, then it completely decomposes within one week. But not everything is as rosy as it seems at first glance.

So in the process of decomposition, the so-called succinic acid is formed, which, in principle, can be processed for commercial use in both pharmaceuticals and some food products.

Where can such plastic be used?

Scientists suggest that open plastic can be used in flexible electronics or directly in smartphones, where it will be completely isolated from light and access to oxygen and light throughout the entire period exploitation.

And after the electronics have served their life, they can be easily disposed of. While a new type of plastic is being actively studied, scientists immediately say that it is still very far from full commercial use.

The scientists shared the results of the work already done on the pages of the portal of the American Chemical Society.

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