New Delhi (National Desk): Scientists have unveiled a new and innovative technique that could help solve the global plastic crisis. The technique uses moisture from the air to break down plastic waste, making the process not only clean but also environmentally friendly. Specifically, this method is able to effectively break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the most common and widely used plastic of the polyester family.
Catalyst used in the new technology
The process involves an inexpensive catalyst that works to break down PET. When the bonds of PET break, they are exposed to ambient air, causing it to turn into the basic building blocks (monomers) of plastic. These monomers can then be recycled or transformed into other valuable materials, making it a more effective and environmentally friendly solution than traditional recycling methods.
Affordable, safe and environmentally friendly process
This innovative technology is not only affordable and safe, but also better for the environment. It can prove to be a solid step to turn plastic waste into a circular economy, giving a new direction to plastic recycling. The findings of this research have recently been published by the Royal Society of Chemistry and have been published in the prestigious journal ‘Green Chemistry’.
Scientists’ opinion and reaction
Northwestern’s Yossi Kratish, who is a co-corresponding author of the study, said, “The US has the highest plastic pollution per capita and we recycle only 5 percent of plastic. We need better technologies that can process different types of plastic waste. What is special about our technology is that we break down plastic using moisture from the air, which is a clean and selective process.” Highlighting the importance of this technique, Naveen Malik, the first author of the study, said, “Our research presents a sustainable and effective solution to address plastic waste. Traditional recycling methods often generate harmful byproducts such as waste salts, while our method is a solvent-free process, which is not only environmentally friendly but also highly practical for real-world applications.”
Team leadership and collaboration
The study was conducted by Tobin J. Marks, research assistant professor of chemistry at Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Vladimir N. Ipatieff, and a team of other experts from Northwestern Engineering. During this research, Malik was a postdoctoral fellow in Marks’ lab and is now a research assistant professor at SRM Institute of Science and Technology in India.
