Plastic that is made from carbon dioxide (CO2) and lignin, a component of wood that is a low-cost byproduct of paper manufacturing and biofuel production.
Modern life relies on plastic. This lightweight, adaptable product is a cornerstone of packaging, medical equipment, the aerospace and automotive industries and more. But plastic waste remains a problem as it degrades in landfills and pollutes oceans.
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers have created a potential alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic that is made from carbon dioxide (CO2) and lignin, a component of wood that is a low-cost byproduct of paper manufacturing and biofuel production. This new plastic has the potential to address the environmental issues associated with traditional plastic waste.
Petroleum-based plastic, which is derived from carbon dioxide (CO2) and lignin, a component of wood that is a low-cost byproduct of paper manufacturing and biofuel production, was the subject of their research, as outlined in Advanced Functional Materials.
“Our research aims to transform the harmful greenhouse gas CO2 into a valuable raw material for the production of degradable polymers or plastics,” explained Hoyong Chung, an associate professor in chemical and biomedical engineering at the college. “Not only are we reducing CO2 emissions, but we are also generating a sustainable polymer product using the CO2.”
This investigation is an important step towards creating eco-friendly plastics.This is the first time that the direct synthesis of a cyclic carbonate monomer has been demonstrated. This molecule is made up of carbon and oxygen atoms and can be linked with other molecules, and it is made from CO2 and lignin.
By linking multiple monomers together, scientists can create synthetic polymers, which are long-chained molecules that can be used in various applications.
The material developed by Chung and his research team is fully degradable at the end of its life without producing microplastics and toxic substances. It can be synthesized at lower pressures and temperatures. Additionally, the polymer can be recycled without losing its structure.The researchers are able to convert polymers back into their original building blocks using a process called depolymerization. This allows for the production of high-quality recycled material, as the monomers can be used to create new polymers without any loss in quality. This is an improvement over current polymer materials, which lose quality with repeated heat exposure and have limited recyclability. The degraded product can be used to create the same polymer, making it a highly efficient process.Chung explained that this method is more affordable and helps to preserve the original properties of polymers through multiple recycling processes. He described it as a significant advancement in material science, as it paves the way for a truly circular economy.
The newly created material has the potential to be utilized in inexpensive, short-lived plastic products for various industries including construction, agriculture, packaging, cosmetics, textiles, diapers, and disposable kitchenware. Chung envisions that with further enhancements, the material could also be used in specialized polymers for biomedical and energy storage purposes.
The FSU Office of Commercialization played a crucial role in this development.The research conducted by Chung received foundational support from an internal funding program, which allowed for previous work with lignin-based polymers. With the assistance of the office, patents have been obtained for other polymer research projects. This project was made possible through federal funds awarded to the State of Florida from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, as well as support from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. Arijit Ghorai, a postdoctoral researcher, served as the lead author of the study. The journal reference for this study is Arijit Ghorai, Hoyong Chung.An article titled “Bio-Based Sustainable Polymers with Closed-Loop Chemical Recycling” was published in Advanced Functional Materials in 2024. The DOI for the article is 10.1002/adfm.202403035.