New solvent math predicts which biodegradable plastics break down fastest
Banerjee A, Majumder M
Phytoremediation
The compostable plant pots and biodegradable mulch films showing up at garden centers depend on exactly this kind of material science to actually break down instead of lingering as microplastics in your soil.
Researchers made a new kind of biodegradable plastic fabric by spinning it from a mix of a plant-derived plastic and zinc oxide particles, then dissolving it in different solvent combinations. They discovered a simple way to predict, using a bit of geometry, which solvent mix creates the most porous fibers, and porous fibers break down faster in soil and water because bacteria and moisture can get inside them more easily.
Key Findings
A 'centroidal distance' calculation based on Hansen solubility parameters predicts which solvent mixtures produce the most porous, biodegradable fibers before any lab work is done
Chloroform, DMSO, and acetone were tested alone and in combination; DMSO had the lowest volatility and highest conductivity, while chloroform had the opposite properties
Lower centroidal distance in the solvent mix correlated with more porous fiber structure, greater accessibility to microbial and hydrolytic degradation, and reduced chemical waste
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists found a way to design biodegradable plastic fibers by mixing solvents in specific ratios, using a math trick to predict which blends break down fastest and cleanest in the environment.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Sustainable fabrication of biodegradable polycaprolactone/ZnO electrospun scaffolds: centroid-mediated solvent optimization strategy.
Advances in polymer technology have provided humankind with a plethora of polymers for use in various sectors, such as tissue engineering, packaging, and personal care and hygiene products. However...
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