Plastics of the Future: Mechanically Strong and Engineered to Dissolve in Salt Water

Plastics of the Future: Mechanically Strong and Engineered to Dissolve in Salt Water

A team of Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo and Riken Institute have developed a novel supramolecular plastic that totally dissolves in seawater within a few hours, potentially eliminating microplastic fragments that pose a serious danger to marine ecosystems and human health. The novel material is created from two important building blocks: sodium hexametaphosphate, a water-soluble organic salt, and guanidinium ions. By combining these, the strength and durability of the plastic are retained, but it can dissolve in seawater, providing a significant solution to the global plastic pollution. This novel polymer is safe, noncombustible, and greatly customizable. The hardness and stretch resistance of plastic can be tailored according to the desired application by altering the percentage of guanidinium sulfate monomer. The building blocks of this plastic can be recovered and reused. This new discovery gives us a little hope for a future when plastic pollution doesn't last forever.