Highly degradable bio-based plastic with water-assisted shaping process and exceptional mechanical properties

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Sustainable Materials

Background:

• Conventional plastics pose significant environmental threats due to their persistence.
• There is a growing need for sustainable alternatives that are both recyclable and biodegradable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel biodegradable and recyclable bio-based plastic.
• To utilize carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and a cationic polymeric ionic liquid (PILCl) for plastic production.
• To assess the mechanical properties, recyclability, and biodegradability of the developed plastic.

Main Methods:

• Complexation of CMC and PILCl assisted with KNO3.
• Formation of plastic films via electrostatic interactions.
• Mechanical testing (tensile strength, Young's modulus).
• Recycling and regeneration experiments.
• Biodegradability tests using cellulase and soil exposure.
• 3D shape processing with water.

Main Results:

• The CMC/PIL plastic film exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with tensile strength around 200 MPa and Young's modulus of 5.5 GPa.
• Recycled and regenerated films retained high mechanical integrity (tensile strength ~190 MPa).
• The plastic could be processed into 3D shapes using water, maintaining its properties.
• Exceptional biodegradability was observed, degrading in hours with cellulase and days in soil.

Conclusions:

• A novel, sustainable bio-based plastic from CMC and PILCl was successfully fabricated.
• The material demonstrates superior mechanical strength, excellent recyclability, and rapid biodegradability.
• This innovation offers a practical and environmentally friendly approach to plastic production.