A research team in Japan has invented a supramolecular material (format, in this case, by two molecules) similar to plastic, which dissolves in salted water within a few hours: a possible solution to the growing problem of marine pollution, the material is better than the classic biodegradable plastic because it is decomposed more quickly without leaving residual tracks. «Children cannot choose the planet they will live in. It is our duty how scientists make sure to leave them the best possible environment, “says Takuzo Aida, one of the authors of the study published on Science.
How is it done? The material, visually similar to a glass sheet, is composed of a combination of sodium examination of sodium (a common food additive) and monomers based on guanidinium ions (used as a fertilizer and admitting). The link between these two compounds makes the material resistant and flexible, but at the same time easily dissolved: immersed in a saline solution similar to the water of the sea, it was dissolved in two or three hours, based on the size and thickness of the piece, releasing elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can be reused or absorbed by the plants.
Not only in water. Since salt is present (in a minor percentage) also in the ground, researchers estimate that a piece of the new material about five centimeters large would take just over 200 hours to degrade in the ground. Although marketing is still far away, the Japanese invention could help fight not only the problem of microplastics, but also that of polluting emissions, since producing the new material does not emit CO2.
