Scientists were able to create an eco-plastic from ordinary sugar

The search for an environmentally friendly substitute for plastic led a team of researchers from Birmingham University in the UK and Duke University in the US to sweets. Scientists were able to create unusual types of plastic with “unprecedented” characteristics based on sugar alcohols.

Two substances with stable atomic rings, isoidide and isomannide, were used as a base. An isoidide-based polymer had the fusibility of ordinary plastics and the strength of high-quality engineering plastics. The isomannide polymer had similar hardness and impact toughness, but also elasticity, allowing it to recover from deformation. These properties were also retained after grinding and heat treatment.

Using stereochemical modeling, the researchers tested how the location of atoms in space correlates with material characteristics. Next, they created plastics from both polymers, being able to tune their properties and decomposition rates independently.

Although there is still work to be done on reducing production costs and investigating the potential environmental impact, in the long run these materials could replace plastics made from petroleum products that take centuries to decompose. The team has already applied for a patent and is currently looking for partners to further monetize it.