Scientists have begun to create biodegradable plastics to combat pollution.

Researchers have presented a significant breakthrough in the creation of plastics capable of decomposing at a given moment. A Rutgers University team has published data confirming that they have succeeded in developing a material that decomposes under normal conditions without heating and without the use of aggressive reagents. This was reported on November 28 in the journal Nature.

A new development by scientists offers a solution to one of the most persistent environmental problems — the durability of plastic waste. Researcher Yuwei Gu noted that the idea arose when he saw plastic trash among the untouched nature. According to him, nature actively uses polymers, from DNA to proteins, and at the same time never encounters the accumulation of waste, since natural chains are destroyed sooner or later. He stressed that the key difference lies in the chemical structure.

Scientists have suggested that the structure of natural polymers contains embedded groups that weaken chemical bonds at the right moment. The project is based on an attempt to reproduce this mechanism in artificial materials. The team has shown that if similar active groups are embedded in polymer chains and their location is adjusted, the rate of destruction can be programmed from a few days to several years.

The essence of the approach is to create an internal "kink" in the chemical structure, similar to the fold of paper, along which the material is easier to tear. At the same time, the strength of the plastic remains unchanged during operation. The researchers also demonstrated the ability to activate the decay with ultraviolet light or metal ions.

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"We wanted to solve one of the biggest problems of modern plastics. Our goal was to find a new chemical strategy that would allow plastics to decompose naturally in everyday conditions without the need for special treatment," Gu said.

According to him, the technology will allow using different service life for different areas: packaging materials can disappear almost immediately, and car components can remain strong for years. He also noted that the principle can be applied to create capsules with programmable drug release or self-removing protective coatings.

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Medical worker of the KDC NCC No. 2 of the Federal State Budgetary Budgetary Institution "RNC named after Academician of B.V. Petrovsky" Valeria Zaretskaya told Izvestia on October 15 about the impact of plastic on heart health. According to the expert, chemical compounds hidden in plastic containers and packages can directly affect heart rhythms. She stressed that minimizing contact with plastic should become part of the standard preventive recommendations for patients with cardiovascular diseases and genetically determined channelopathies, as well as for the elderly.

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