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Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A novel champion has emerged in the realm of plastics, and it represents a major breakthrough for both recycling and marine ecosystems. Japanese researchers have introduced an extraordinary plastic that not only self-repairs and retains its original form but also decomposes to nourish marine life once its purpose is fulfilled.
Source: WWF-Australia/Youtube
Traditional plastics are typically a recycling nightmare due to their durability. However, a team from the University of Tokyo has achieved a significant milestone with a plastic known as VPR. This is an advanced form of epoxy resin vitrimer that remains resilient at room temperature but alters its shape when subjected to heat. Furthermore, it has been rendered less fragile and more adaptable thanks to a compound referred to as polyrotaxane.
The abilities of VPR are truly outstanding. Inflict a scratch, and it will self-heal with just a minute of heat at 150 °C (302 °F). Flatten it, apply heat, and witness it spring back to its original form, akin to an origami crane returning to its initial shape. Its self-repair and reshaping processes are swifter compared to its plastic counterparts.
The magic doesn’t end here. VPR can be chemically recycled with ease. Through heat and a specialized solvent, it breaks down into its fundamental components, ready for reuse. Additionally, if it is introduced into the ocean, it poses less harm compared to traditional plastic. After spending a month in seawater, VPR biodegraded by 25% and became a source of sustenance for marine organisms.
The lead author, Shota Ando, elucidates that VPR outperforms conventional epoxy resin vitrimers by a significant margin – it is over five times stronger, cures 15 times faster, reshapes twice as rapidly, and recycles ten times more quickly. Furthermore, it is the first of its kind to biodegrade safely within the marine environment.
Imagine thoroughfares and structures constructed from VPR – they would be more robust and easier to mend. This resilient yet pliable material has the potential to transform the production of vehicles by effectively bonding diverse materials.
In a world eagerly seeking sustainable remedies, VPR represents a promising stride towards a verdant future, where plastic is not a predicament but an integral part of the solution.
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Source: www.onegreenplanet.org
