Novel plastic turns into a gas when heated—then reforms once cooled
In a study published in Macromolecules, researchers introduce a novel polymer that could simplify how materials are applied, removed and recycled by eliminating several complex processing steps used today.
Researchers have developed a novel plastic that transforms into a gas when heated and then reforms into its original form upon cooling. This unique material, similar to polyethylene, can be depolymerized at a relatively low temperature of 90 degrees Celsius, breaking down into individual building blocks called monomers. Unlike most depolymerization processes that produce liquid monomers, this new material forms a gas.
As the vapor cools, it spontaneously converts back into the original waterproof polymer. Dr. Peter Roth, a senior lecturer in applied organic/polymer chemistry, explains that this new material offers a different behavior compared to conventional plastics, which are difficult to recycle or remove due to their stability. While not a replacement for traditional plastics or a solution to plastic waste, this discovery introduces a new concept that could lead to circular materials with simplified application, removal, and recycling processes.
The Surrey team demonstrated three potential applications of this material: creating waterproof polymer coatings by condensing the polymer vapor onto a surface, removing the coatings by reheating them, and purifying contaminated polymers through sublimation, separating them from additives before reforming as a clean solid. This proof of concept could eventually lead to new methods for applying and removing waterproof coatings, especially in complex surface applications.
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