Plastics and polymers

Clearing up the compostable plastic mess

Rather than a potential triumph, the compostable plastics we use look increasingly like a tragedy. Andy Extance looks at the problems and seeks solutions

Conserving Barbie from degradation

By Rachel Brazil

Although she is a cultural icon, conserving Barbie has its challenges: as with most plastic toys and dolls, she was not made to last. Rachel Brazil investigates how conservation scientists are approaching this sticky problem

Editing polymer backbones

By James Mitchell Crow

Changing the chemical makeup of a polymer backbone could revolutionise how we make, use and even recycle plastics. James Mitchell Crow reports

The wonderful wizards of wood

By Kit Chapman

Clever chemistry can turn humble timber into a sustainable material with many uses, Kit Chapman finds

Better skiing through chemistry

By Aisha Al-Janabi

While elite sports have been improved by materials science, for disabled athletes the developments can be life-changing. Aisha Al-Janabi reports

A test of strength for artificial muscles

By Clare Sansom

Scientists trying to copy natural muscles have several problems to overcome, Clare Sansom finds

Polymers

Nanoplastics found to interfere with activity of antibiotic

Microscopic polymer pieces can decrease efficacy of drug

New polymers to be tested in extreme conditions aboard the International Space Station

The materials might one day make it into spacecraft components

New database highlights gaps in plastic monitoring efforts

Certain types of plastic products are rarely studied in detail, while many monitoring campaigns focus on a small number of well-known hazardous chemicals

Foaming bioplastic breaks down in seawater four times faster than paper

Highly porous cellulose diacetate polymer could be a packaging alternative

Directing group facilitates catalytic breakdown of high-performance polymer

Polymer maintains strength during regular use but selectively breaks down when exposed to a nickel catalyst

PFAS

Water regulator applies stricter PFAS limits to drinking water in England and Wales

New guidance, expected to go into effect in January, would cumulatively restrict 48 different PFAS

PFAS analysis: improving efficiency by using LC-MS systems with System Monitoring software

The scale of the problem of replacing ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS

From clothes and cookware to cosmetics and healthcare we look at eight major classes of consumer goods PFAS are in

PFAS-free synthesis of fluorinated drugs and pesticides

Flow chemistry introduces trifluoromethyl group onto a range of compounds using just caesium fluoride as the fluorine source

A quarter of lubricants and 12% of condoms have organic fluorine levels above 10ppm

Analysis by consumer watchdog site concludes industry may have a manufacturing contamination problem

Plastic recycling

New database highlights gaps in plastic monitoring efforts

Certain types of plastic products are rarely studied in detail, while many monitoring campaigns focus on a small number of well-known hazardous chemicals

Directing group facilitates catalytic breakdown of high-performance polymer

Polymer maintains strength during regular use but selectively breaks down when exposed to a nickel catalyst

California sues ExxonMobil over misleading plastic recycling claims

Suit claims firm used false claims to justify producing vast amounts of single-use plastics

Mechanochemistry adds fluorine to discarded polystyrene

Proof-of-concept trifluoromethylation study attempts post-consumer plastic waste challenge

Plastic recycling studies need reliable polymer data. This database is ready to inform them

Database set to support recycling research by detailing the chemical composition and physical properties of 59 polymers from common commercial vendors

Research
Nanoplastics found to interfere with activity of antibiotic
Microscopic polymer pieces can decrease efficacy of drug
Feature
Clearing up the compostable plastic mess
Rather than a potential triumph, the compostable plastics we use look increasingly like a tragedy. Andy Extance looks at the problems and seeks solutions
News
New polymers to be tested in extreme conditions aboard the International Space Station
The materials might one day make it into spacecraft components
Research
New database highlights gaps in plastic monitoring efforts
Certain types of plastic products are rarely studied in detail, while many monitoring campaigns focus on a small number of well-known hazardous chemicals
Research
Foaming bioplastic breaks down in seawater four times faster than paper
Highly porous cellulose diacetate polymer could be a packaging alternative
Feature
The problem of plastic in our soils
Not just a marine issue, new research shows microplastics are also changing agricultural land. Bárbara Pinho finds out how and what we can do to prevent it affecting our food
Research
Directing group facilitates catalytic breakdown of high-performance polymer
Polymer maintains strength during regular use but selectively breaks down when exposed to a nickel catalyst
Business
Adnoc to buy Covestro, continuing expansion into polymers
€15 billion deal sees Gulf oil producer looking to future growth beyond fuels
Research
Chloride ions tunnel free from PVC
Computational clues uncover quantum escape route from common plastic