We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Butyrolactam and ε-caprolactone copolymer synthetized by anionic ring-opening polymerization with melting processability and bio-degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists created a new plastic from plant-based materials that breaks down in soil within weeks, unlike regular plastic that lingers for centuries and breaks into microplastics. This could lead to safer food packaging and farm materials, helping reduce the microplastic pollution that's been found in human blood and organs.
With help of sodium hydroxide as the catalyst and terephthaloyl chloride as the activator, a bio-degradable poly (butyrolactam-co-ε-caprolactone) P(BY/CL) was synthesized via ring-opening polymerization based on two bio-based monomers, butyrolactam and ε-caprolactone. The chemical structure of as-synthesized copolymer was determined using FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR) and XRD methods. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to identify the favorable ring-opening position by comparing bond dissociation energies. The results of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) demonstrate that only one melting point decreases regularly with the increase of ε-caprolactone content. Based on NMR analysis, the resultant P(BY/CL) is a random copolymer. Soil degradation performance of polymer films was conducted in outdoor environment, showing P(BY/CL) could be degraded well within several weeks. Our bio-based P(BY/CL) with commendable degradation is expected as a new environmentally friendly biodegradable thermoplastic material in the field of food packaging or green agriculture to cope with the microplastics pollution and alleviate the crisis of petroleum-based material from non-renewable fossils. Thermoplastic P(BY/CL) was synthesized under mild condition. The resultant P(BY/CL) has the adjustable melting point by different feed ratios. The degradation performance of bio-based P (BY/CL) in soil was commendable.
More Papers Like This
Planstic: Biodegradable Plastic with High-Entropy Fibers Made from Waste Plastic and Plant Leaves
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers created "Planstic," a biodegradable material made from fallen plant leaves combined with waste plastic, using 3D printing to control its structure. The material degrades completely within 8 weeks in soil, leaving behind very few microplastic particles, making it a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics.
Rapid biodegradation of microplastics generated from bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers created microplastic particles from a plant-based, biodegradable plastic (thermoplastic polyurethane) and showed that bacteria could break them down rapidly, using the plastic as their sole food source. They also demonstrated that products made from this material, including coated fabric and a phone case, visibly degraded when exposed to soil bacteria. This work suggests that switching to biodegradable plastics could help reduce the buildup of persistent microplastics in the environment.
Degradable Living Plastics Programmed by Engineered Microbial Consortia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers engineered a living plastic embedded with two cooperative Bacillus subtilis spore strains that each secrete a different plastic-degrading enzyme, achieving near-complete breakdown of a polycaprolactone matrix within six days upon heat activation — outperforming single-strain approaches without compromising the material's mechanical properties during use.
Preparation and Analysis of a Biodegradable Polymer Composition Based on Thermoplastic Starch Reinforced with Stearic Acid-modified Microcrystalline Cellulose
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists created a new type of plant-based plastic by combining starch with specially treated wood fiber, making it stronger and more water-resistant while keeping its ability to fully break down in the environment. This matters because it could help replace conventional plastics in food packaging, potentially reducing the plastic waste and microplastic pollution that ends up in our water, food, and bodies.
Mechanical properties and soil and marine degradation behavior of environmentally friendly polylactic acid/nanochitin composite films
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists mixed a plant-based plastic (PLA) with chitin — a natural fiber found in shrimp and crab shells — to create a stronger, more heat-resistant packaging material that also breaks down faster in soil and ocean water than regular biodegradable plastic. This matters because it could help reduce microplastic pollution, which has been linked to health concerns as tiny plastic particles increasingly turn up in our food, water, and even our bodies. The upgraded material could offer a sturdier alternative to conventional plastics while leaving less lasting waste behind.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.