Polymeric materials and plastic pollution
Polymeric materials have been in use for decades due to their characteristic of being cheap and durable. Since the 1950s, there are over 8.3 billion tons of plastic across the world. Sadly, due to their inability to decompose, they have resulted in plastic pollution. The process has had severe effects on the environment. To solve the issue, researchers work to establish materials that function similar to polymers but are biodegradable. This essay will rely on the article Designing the Death of a Plastic by Xiaozhi Lim, which focuses on explaining the discovery of materials that will replace plastics.
The experiment conducted by Adam Feinberg
The article begins by discussing an experiment conducted by Adam Feinberg. Feinberg is a chemist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Español). The experiment involves placing thin sheets of plastic bits inside an I-shaped mold in an oven (Español). After five minutes, the content had converted to an “I” shape after getting molded by the oven’s heat (Español). The essence of the experiment was to confirm that it is possible to mold normal polymers when heat is applied. After that, the next process focused on the ability to make the polymer return back to its original nature.
The importance of the experiment
The importance of this procedure was to confirm that the experiment not only made the plastic chips to melt but it also converted the synthetic polymers back to their molecular units. The major issue surrounding the production of synthetic polymers is their inability to decompose because of their long identical molecules. Most countries are banning the use of the polymerized material. However, the experiments bring about a different perspective since it proves it is possible to recycle polymetric materials. When conducted on a large scale, most of the non-biodegradable materials made of polymers can be discarded easily.
The motivation behind the experiment
Based on the article, chemists were motivated to carry out the experiment after several attempts by the United States and the European Union to establish a long-term solution to the negative effects of plastic pollution (Español). The main aim of the chemists was to develop materials whose characteristic conflicted. The process was to create plastics with the capability to destroy themselves.
Stability and self-destruction of the material
While the experiment was successful, the main challenge was establishing a way through which the material will be stable when under normal use but unstable when meant to be disposed off. To make the polymers stable, they are locked in a circular loop rather than being left to have open-ended chains. On the other hand, to make the polymer destroy themselves, a yellow dye that is sensitive to light is mixed with the polymers (Español). The moment light shines on the plastic, the dye gets energized and removes electrons from the polymer. The process makes the end parts of the polymer to get exposed and starts disintegrating.
Conclusion
In conclusion, polymeric materials have been in production for decades due to their durability and low cost. The polymers have been in use both at organizations and households. However, their inability to decompose have resulted in severe consequences for the environment. As a result, numerous debates and research have been conducted to establish appropriate measures, which will aid in solving the pollution challenge. The essay worked to explain an article written by Xiaozhi Lim on recently discovered measures, which will aid in destroying plastics whenever necessary.
Works Cited
Español, Leer en. Designing The Death of a Plastic. 06 August 2018. .
