May 01, 2025
A new plastic-like material that can disintegrate in water has been developed by researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) in Japan. This material exhibits properties similar to plastic and is strong; however, contact with seawater causes it to dissolve. The material is a supramolecular plastic that can be conveniently repurposed as it is composed of molecules that are connected by bonds, which are reversible. It differs from standard plastics that take centuries to decompose— seawater causes the material to disintegrate within a few hours. This will help in combating plastic pollution.
Watch this video to learn how plastics pollute waterbodies
Image for representational purposes
