New Recyclable Polymer Features Properties of Convectional Plastics

Plastics achieved the kind of popularity that they did because they were lightweight, cheap, long-lasting than a horde of other materials, and convenient. But these are also the very reasons why plastics are currently one of the biggest problems for earth, with their volumes in trash rising at light speeds.

However, scientists may have taken a major step towards the development of sustainable, waste-free materials that can compete well with conventional plastics. This is about a recent study that was undertaken by chemists from the Colorado State University. The researchers have discovered a polymer that has several characteristics that conventional plastics have, such as strength, heat resistance, light weight, and durability.

But one of the most important quality that the polymer possesses, unlike conventional plastics developed with the help of petroleum products, is complete chemical recyclability—the polymer can be easily converted back to its original state. Moreover, this can be achieved without using intensive lab practices or toxic chemicals.

The new polymer can be polymerized conveniently in environmentally-friendly and easy industrial conditions—at room temperature and in an solvent-free environment, involving a reaction time of only a few minutes and requiring catalyst only in trace amounts. The material is said to have a high level of thermal stability, molecular weight, and crystallinity. It also has mechanical properties much like conventional plastics. The monomer also has the capability of being re-polymerized without the further need for purification, thus demonstrating a circular life cycle. Thus the polymer made from this monomer can be recycled and reused chemically for infinite times in principle.