https://phys.org/chemistry-news/polymers en-us The latest science news on polymers A method for producing a highly absorbent material from sisal (Agave sisalana)—a drought-tolerant succulent plant—is described in a study published in Communications Engineering. The authors suggest that, with further development, their method could be used to produce locally sourced disposable menstrual pads in rural and semi-arid regions. https://phys.org/news/2023-12-menstrual-pads-succulents-access-sanitary.html Biochemistry Polymers Fri, 01 Dec 2023 06:55:02 EST news620636101 There are young children celebrating the holidays this year with their families, thanks to the 3D-printed medical devices created in the lab of Georgia Tech researcher Scott Hollister. For more than 10 years, Hollister and his collaborators have developed lifesaving, patient-specific airway splints for babies with rare birth defects. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-architected-auxetics-flexibility-3d.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Thu, 30 Nov 2023 11:58:48 EST news620567925 When entering public restrooms, it's hard not to dwell on what germs previous users have left behind in the toilet bowl. Imagine, instead, a self-cleaning system that doesn't require a brightly colored gel. Researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed a simple, transparent coating that makes surfaces like porcelain more water-repellent. They show how this surface treatment effectively prevents bacteria from sticking to the inside of a toilet bowl. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-slippery-toilet-bowl-treatment-bacteria.html Polymers Materials Science Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:36:03 EST news620404561 Many enzymes promise to break down plastic. But what works in the lab often fails on a large scale. Now a new study by Gert Weber, HZB, Uwe Bornscheuer, University of Greifswald, and Alain Marty, Chief Scientific Officer of Carbios, shows how raising the bar for laboratory experiments could help identify promising approaches more quickly. The team demonstrated the new standards on four newly discovered enzymes. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-boosting-pet-recycling-higher-standards.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Tue, 28 Nov 2023 09:28:03 EST news620386081 Polyphosphoesters, molecules containing phosphorus as the central element, are easily traceable without the need for contrast agents, thanks to developments by researchers from the University of Twente (UT). Normally, these molecules display a similar molecular composition to our DNA, leading to considerable "noise" in the image. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-biodegradable-polymers-traceable-toxic-contrast.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Fri, 24 Nov 2023 11:28:03 EST news620047681 A month ago, the European Union banned glitter. This action was part of an effort that aims to reduce the presence of microplastics in our environment by 30%. Waste plastics are a serious problem for our ecosystems, and the push for recycling plastics, in general, has gained significant attention as a potential solution. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-sustainable-recycle-biobased-polycarbonates.html Polymers Materials Science Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:03:30 EST news619797808 Supramolecular polymers (SPs) are molecular assemblies composed of non-covalently bonded small molecules. They show high recyclability originating from their dynamic nature of monomer binding, which is different from covalent polymers with non-biodegradable nature. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-effective-approach-supramolecular-polymers-high.html Polymers Materials Science Tue, 21 Nov 2023 10:38:03 EST news619785481 Bio-based plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) were invented to help solve the plastic waste crisis, but they often end up making waste management more challenging. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-plastic-anxiety.html Polymers Materials Science Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:00:01 EST news619432338 Every year, 400 million tons of plastic waste are generated worldwide. Between 19 and 23 million tons of that plastic waste makes its way into aquatic ecosystems, and the remaining goes into the ground. An additional 92 million tons of cloth waste is generated annually. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-chemist-plastic-alternatives-proteins-scraps.html Polymers Materials Science Tue, 14 Nov 2023 15:25:03 EST news619197901 A new study led by chemists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign brings fresh insight into the development of semiconductor materials that can do things their traditional silicon counterparts cannot—harness the power of chirality, a non-superimposable mirror image. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-unexpected-polymer-based-semiconductors.html Polymers Materials Science Tue, 14 Nov 2023 11:57:03 EST news619185421 A team led by chemists at the University of Liège has developed a new polyurethane production technique using CO2 to create new types of easily recyclable plastics. The study, published in the Journal of the American Chemistry Society, could provide a solution for the development of truly sustainable plastics. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-technique-capture-reuse-co2-chemical.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:36:03 EST news619097761 A research team has developed a reversible, water-based glue that has good adhesion in the neutral pH range, but can be detached again in strongly acidic or alkaline environments. As the team writes in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, the novel adhesive system, which is based on electrostatic interactions, has bond strengths somewhere between those of structural adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives. The new adhesive also bonds "difficult" surfaces such as water-repellent polypropylene. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-water-based-adhesive-recycled-ph.html Polymers Materials Science Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:21:02 EST news619096861 The world has become increasingly industrialized over the past few centuries, bringing all sorts of technology and conveniences to the masses. However, workers in industrial environments are often at risk of exposure to many dangerous gases, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Inhaling this gas can lead to serious respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis, and severely compromise the health of industrial workers. Constant monitoring of NO2 levels is thus needed to ensure a safe workplace. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-limits-gas-technology.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:46:03 EST news618767161 Synthetic polymers are everywhere in our society—from nylon and polyester clothing to Teflon cookware and epoxy glue. At the molecular level, these polymers' molecules are made of long chains of monomer building blocks, the complexity of which increases functionality in many such materials. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-chemists-image-basic-blocks-synthetic.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Thu, 09 Nov 2023 13:01:21 EST news618757278 In a pilot-scale study to find alternative raw materials for rigid plastic packages, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland has obtained unprecedented maximum limits of its highly extensible formable cellulose-based webs used for rigid packaging applications. The results enable the manufacturing of a wide range of sustainable 3D packaging solutions that were previously unattainable. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-formable-cellulose-based-food-packaging-single-use.html Polymers Materials Science Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:31:09 EST news618597067 The lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that make biocatalysis possible is an obstacle to developing biotechnological processes that allow the recycling of plastics. A research project led by a team from the Universitat Jaume I has made it possible to degrade widely used PET plastics through a natural enzyme, CALB, by modifying the pH of the medium. This opens up a new way to recycle PET, which is present, for example, in containers, bottles or textiles of all kinds, and generates harmless compounds that are useful in subsequent synthesis processes. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-team-biotechnological-degrade-plastics.html Biochemistry Polymers Mon, 06 Nov 2023 11:23:42 EST news618492220 Open wounds, whether caused by accidents or from medical procedures like surgery, require proper management to speed up healing and prevent infections. While sutures and staples are common wound closure methods, they can cause secondary tissue injuries, potentially leaking fluids and gases and requiring anesthetics. Tissue adhesive glues are a more attractive alternative but often suffer from toxicity and weak adhesion. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-scientists-hydrogels-wound.html Biochemistry Polymers Mon, 06 Nov 2023 11:23:33 EST news618492210 Stretchable polymeric fibers have significant impact, although their production requires rigorous environmental methods and resource consumption. The process is challenging for elastic polymers with reduced spinnability and high performance, such as silicones, polydimethylsiloxane, and ecoflex. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-hydrogel-assisted-microfluidic-stretchable-fibers-fluidic.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:32:21 EST news618485536 Great chemists have discovered ways to combine carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen into all manners of plastics: leak-proof food packaging, heat-resistant car parts, durable personal protective equipment—the list is long. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-artificial-intelligence-discovery-sustainable-higher-performing.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:16:03 EDT news618221761 Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed an innovative plastic that is stronger and stretchier than the current standard type. The plastic is also partially biodegradable, remembers its shape, and can be healed with heat. The researchers created it by adding the molecule polyrotaxane to an epoxy resin vitrimer, a type of plastic. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-vpr-stronger-stretchier-self-healing-plastic.html Polymers Materials Science Thu, 02 Nov 2023 10:17:27 EDT news618139044 Mountains of used plastic bottles get thrown away every day, but microbes could potentially tackle this problem. Now, researchers report in ACS Central Science that they've developed a plastic-eating E. coli that can efficiently turn polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into adipic acid, which is used to make nylon materials, drugs and fragrances. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-plastic-eating-bacteria-materials-products.html Biochemistry Polymers Wed, 01 Nov 2023 10:06:03 EDT news618051962 Polymers are large molecules that are made by linking a series of identical building blocks. They are attractive for manufacturing because they are inexpensive and easy to process and modify. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-polymers-next-generation-sustainability.html Polymers Materials Science Tue, 31 Oct 2023 10:41:26 EDT news617967682 Ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) materials can be applied in fields such as displays, sensing, information encryption, bioimaging. Among these, polymeric UOPs have attracted much attention due to good film-forming stability, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for large-scale production. However, achieving good water/moisture-resistance for long-term environmental stability remains a challenge. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-moisture-resistant-epoxy-based-ultralong-phosphorescence.html Polymers Materials Science Tue, 31 Oct 2023 09:40:03 EDT news617964001 PFAS, a family of highly fluorinated substances, represent a danger for humans and the environment. Particularly problematic members of this family, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) appear to cause organ damage and cancer, as well as disrupting the endocrine system. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-environmental-pfas-energy.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Fri, 27 Oct 2023 09:20:24 EDT news617617222 Dispersions of polymer particles in a liquid phase (latexes) have many important applications in coatings technology, medical imaging, and cell biology. A French team of researchers have now developed a method, reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, to produce stable polystyrene dispersions with unprecedentedly large and uniform particle sizes. Narrow size distributions are essential in many advanced technologies, but were previously difficult to produce photochemically. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-method-homogeneous-polystyrene-microparticles-stable.html Polymers Materials Science Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:59:28 EDT news617450365 More than 100,000 tons of diapers are disposed of annually in Germany. Vast amounts of valuable resources, such as diaper liners, end up in the trash. The liners consist of special polymers, so-called superabsorbers. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-diapers-recycled-faster.html Polymers Materials Science Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:36:06 EDT news617448954 They number in the thousands, light striking the phalanx of lenses arrayed on a face in geometric pattern, the beams refracting through transparent mounds no wider than a hair. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-chemists-craft-adjustable-arrays-microscopic.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:02:24 EDT news617277740 Little of the mixed consumer plastics thrown away or placed in recycle bins actually ends up being recycled. Nearly 90% is buried in landfills or incinerated at commercial facilities that generate greenhouse gases and airborne toxins. Neither outcome is ideal for the environment. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-recycling-plastics.html Polymers Materials Science Sun, 22 Oct 2023 07:00:01 EDT news617014651 Plastics monopolize our household accessories due to their low cost and versatility. Unfortunately, the lack of proper disposal measures has led to widespread proliferation of these non-biodegradables into the natural environment. Although plastics do not generally break down via biological processes, they age and disintegrate via chemical reactions. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-potential-problems-persistent-plastic-particulates.html Polymers Analytical Chemistry Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:23:04 EDT news617026981 Hundreds of millions of tons of single-use plastic ends up in landfills every year, and even the small percentage of plastic that gets recycled can't last forever. But our group of materials scientists has developed a new method for creating and deconstructing polymers that could lead to more easily recycled plastics—ones that don't require you to carefully sort out all your recycling on trash day. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-class-recyclable-polymer-materials-day.html Polymers Materials Science Fri, 20 Oct 2023 11:41:04 EDT news617020861