A groundbreaking discovery in plant-based materials science has created a waterproof material that degrades quickly in the ocean, offering a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.
Plant-Based Waterproof Material Could Replace Single-Use Plastics
A Breakthrough in Sustainable Materials Science
Researchers at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery in plant-based materials science. By treating cellulose, the main component of paper, with a solution of lithium bromide, they have created a waterproof material that degrades quickly in the ocean, offering a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.
Plant-based materials science is a rapidly growing field that focuses on developing sustainable and eco-friendly materials from plant sources.
These materials can replace traditional plastics, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.
Researchers are exploring various plant-based polymers, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, to create biodegradable packaging, textiles, and even biomedical applications.
With its potential to transform industries and promote sustainability, plant-based materials science is an exciting area of research and development.
The Science Behind the Breakthrough
Transparent paperboard is made from cellulose, which can be turned into clear, waterproof objects such as cups. However, traditional production methods used coagulant chemicals, limiting its applications to food packaging. Noriyuki Isobe and his colleagues found that by treating cellulose with lithium bromide, it doesn’t require a coagulant – it can simply be left to dry instead.
‘We have now developed a regenerated cellulose material from this solvent system that is not only shapeable but also has the potential to serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics,’ says Isobe. The researchers tested the material’s performance and found that a cup made of transparent paperboard can hold just-boiled water with almost no leakage for well over 3 hours.
A Sustainable Solution for Single-Use Plastics
The material can be made from both recycled and upcycled cellulose products, such as recovered clothing. Isobe and his colleagues also tested how the material breaks down in the ocean and found that it completely degraded in 300 days in the deep sea and more quickly at shallower depths.
The ocean is a vital component of the Earth's ecosystem, covering over 70% of its surface.
However, it is facing numerous threats due to human activities, leading to ocean degradation.
Plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change are major contributors to this issue.
The consequences include loss of marine biodiversity, damage to coral reefs, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the United Nations, 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year, harming marine life and contaminating the food chain.
Bhavna Middha, a researcher at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, notes that having a paper-based alternative to plastic is ‘not a bad thing.’ However, she expresses reservations about this approach to tackling the waste issue. ‘I would say that there should be an objection to using anything single-use unless it’s really required by people or groups that really need single-use disposable materials – for example, the medical industry.’
A Step Towards a Plastically Polluted World
A fifth of the world’s plastic garbage is either burned or littered. The production and disposal of single-use plastics have severe environmental consequences. This breakthrough in plant-based waterproof material could be a crucial step towards reducing our reliance on these materials.
Single-use plastics, such as bags, straws, and water bottles, contribute significantly to plastic pollution.
According to the United Nations, over 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the world's oceans annually.
This pollution harms marine life and contaminates the food chain.
In response, many countries have implemented bans or taxes on single-use plastics.
The European Union has set a target to reduce single-use plastics by 50% by 2025.
- newscientist.com | Plant based waterproof material could replace single use plastics
