Plastic that dissolves in a week with sun and oxygen

Plastic that dissolves in a week with sun and oxygen
Wuhan: Chinese scientists have invented an eco-friendly plastic that can be turned into a harmless substance in just one week in the presence of sun and oxygen.

According to research published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, this plastic is flexible and is made of special organic polymers.

As long as it is not exposed to the sun, the plastic retains its original state, but when exposed to the sun, it begins to chemically react with the oxygen in the air, dissolves rapidly and breaks down into harmless substances.
This process is completed in a maximum of one week, the only by-product of which is succinic acid. It is a natural compound that is in high demand in pharmaceuticals and food products.

Although not strong enough to make shopping bags or beverage bottles, it can be used in flexible electronic devices for smartphones, tablets and desktop computers, etc., which can be discarded in the sun after failure. Can be done

It should be noted that millions of tons of “electric waste” is generated every year from used electrical appliances. The UN report “The Global e-Waste Monitor 2020” shows that last year, 53.6 million tons of electronic waste was generated worldwide which could not be disposed of.

Dr. Liang Lu, head of the team that develops this unique and environmentally friendly plastic at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, says the plastic is still in its infancy and it will take years to improve it and make it capable of electrical appliances. can.

Jack