Scientists are working to make tougher biodegradable plastics
from plants (Image:
Horia Varlan via flickr)
Replacing petro-chemical-based plastics with
plant-based alternatives is a growing area of research. One
popular form of plant-derived plastic is Poly(lactic) acid, or
PLA, a type of biodegradable plastic that is currently used to
make bottles, bags and is woven into fibers to make clothes in
place of polyester. Although PLA has similar mechanical
properties to PETE polymer, it has significantly lower
heat-resistance, which limits its uses. Researchers are now
developing a new chemical catalyst to improve the properties of
PLA, making it stronger and more heat-resistant so it can be
used for a wider range of applications.
PLA is made from renewable plant sources such as corn
starch, wheat or sugarcane, and although its been known of for
more than a century, it has only gained commercial interest
recently due to its biodegradability. In an effort to extends
the range of uses for PLA to include applications such as
engineering plastics for the automotive industry, microwavable
trays and hot drink cups, scientists from the
University of
Bath and
Tel Aviv University are developing a new chemical catalyst
to improve the process of making these plastics
As Professor Matthew Davidson, Whorrod Professor of
Sustainable Chemical Technologies at the University of Bath and
Director of the University’s Centre for Sustainable Chemical
Technologies, explains: “PLA can be made up of two types of
building blocks that are mirror-images of each other. Using the
current technology, when the plastic is made with both types
present they are jumbled together within the structure of the
plastic.”
The joint British-Israeli project new project is looking to
improve the properties of PLA by developing a selective catalyst
that will build up a polymer of ‘left-handed’ and ‘right-handed’
building blocks in a structured order, making the resultant
plastic stronger and more heat-resistant. The team says such
catalysts are the key to providing renewable and biodegradable
plastics that will help reduce society’s reliance on oil.
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