Researchers at the University of Surrey have revealed a new polymer which breaks down into a gas at 90 degrees Celsius and, when cooled, reforms into the original waterproof polymer with the same properties as before.
Introduced in a study published in scientific journal Macromolecules, the polymer is said to be similar to polyethene as it is soft, insoluble and hydrophobic, but when heated to 90 degrees Celsius it undergoes depolymerization and breaks down into its individual building blocks, known as monomers. Unlike most depolymerization processes where the recovered monomers are liquids, the material forms a gas instead and reforms as it cools.
To demonstrate the concept, the University of Surrey team laid out three potential applications. First, they created waterproof polymer coatings by allowing the polymer vapour to condense onto a surface. They then showed that these coatings could be removed simply by reheating them, causing the polymer to evaporate. Finally, the researchers demonstrated that a contaminated polymer could be purified through sublimation, separating the polymer from a model additive before it reformed as a clean solid.
This research aims to provide a proof of concept for a new class of circular materials and eventually enable new ways of applying and removing waterproof coatings, particularly for applications where liquid coatings struggle to cover complex surfaces.
Dr Peter Roth, School Postgraduate Research Director and senior lecturer in Applied Organic/Polymer Chemistry, comments:
“Most plastics are designed to be stable, which is exactly what makes them difficult to recycle or remove. We’ve shown that it’s possible to create a material that behaves very differently – one that can transform into a vapour at relatively low temperatures before naturally rebuilding itself into the same polymer.
“This isn’t a replacement for conventional plastics, and it’s certainly not a solution to the global plastic waste problem. But it does introduce a new concept that could inspire an entirely new generation of circular materials.”
In related news, in May Borouge International and BlueAlp worked with Woosh to chemically recycle disposable baby diapers into pyrolysis oils for producing new polymers. The collaboration builds on the pre-established ecosystem around Woosh’s give-back diapers, which are distributed to households and childcare facilities across Belgium, then collected again after use.
More recently, Traceless has announced the first industrial production facility for its bio-based, home-compostable natural polymer technology, aiming to end dependence on fossil raw materials and build a circular bioeconomy in Europe. Traceless says its patented technology relies on a special extraction process that utilizes natural polymers from plant-based industry residues without modifying their natural chemical structure, resulting in bio-based and home-compostable granulates.
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