Every year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced. About five percent Of which ultimately makes its way into rivers and eventually reaches the sea, or is directly discarded into the ocean by the fishing sector. Plastic, regardless of whether it disintegrates into smaller pieces, microplastic Or not, this pertains to an evolving environmental issue. health A global disaster that impacts Earth as a whole has prompted numerous proposals for solutions. Researchers have recently introduced a novel material with properties similar to plastic but without the detrimental effects.
The group refers to this new material as transparent paperboard (tPB). It consists entirely of cellulose and has a makeup similar to conventional paper. They begin with regenerating cellulose from sources like plants and timber (though not limited to these), then form a hydrogel which can be molded into various shapes. transparent .
"This achievement was accomplished through the straightforward process of drying a dense, bulky, and moldable cellulose hydrogel, which was created utilizing an aqueous lithium bromide (LiBr) solution as the medium. The cellulose forms into a solid directly from the solution phase without adding any precipitants; specifically, cellulose becomes soluble when heated and then sets upon cooling," the researchers detailed in their publication.
Through this method, tPB appears as a clear, three-dimensional dense substance created entirely from pure cellulose, able to assume multiple configurations varying from millimeter-thick sheets to molded items like cups or straws.
We believe that everyone who has had to cope with paper straws Falling apart after enjoying a lengthy beverage would surely appreciate knowing that it’s feasible to create a paper straw that won’t fall apart instantly. Nevertheless, the material does degrade within a reasonably brief period.
The group examined the scenario where tPB ended up in the ocean. They contrasted the rate of disappearance when this type of plastic was in shallow waters versus sinking into deeper areas. deepest abysses Even at the depths of the ocean floor, this substitute for plastic would degrade within less than a year – and degradation It is five to 11 times slower compared to coastal areas.
Being see-through, biodegradable in nature, and having properties similar to plastics is impressive enough, yet there’s even more to this story. Researchers demonstrated that you can pour boiling water into a tPB cup without significant leakage for up to three hours. Applying a thin resin layer prevents all leakages effectively.
These findings were already intriguing, but the team aimed to explore further. They desired for T.P.B. not only to serve as biodegradable plastic but also to venture into additional applications. recyclability They discovered that both the solvent employed for its production and the tPB itself can be reused, even though this process yields a plastic with reduced transparency. Additionally, they demonstrated that upcycled materials can be utilized to create this type of tPB.
“The authors explain that through the use of underutilized cellulose waste like old textiles, discarded paper, and low-grade timber, tPB can be crucial for establishing a sustainable circular economy in the coming years.”
The research is featured in the journal Science Advances .