Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a high-heat-resistant bioplastic material that can be used to make auto parts and building materials. This discovery will expand the application of biomaterials in the manufacturing sector.
Most of the plastics used today are man-made plastics made of crude oil, natural gas and coal. However, scientists from the University of Tokyo, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and other institutions have used plants, eggshells, bird wings, and even tequila and other biological substances to convert them through a pulping process. It is converted into paper pulp, which is then used to make new plastic materials.
This plastic can withstand temperatures up to 500°C and will not melt even at high temperatures. This finding is of great significance, because traditional bioplastics have relatively low heat resistance, and their applications in other areas have been limited. Yasuo Onishi, a member of the research team and professor of applied microbiology, said: “This material has excellent heat resistance, flame retardancy, and is very light. It can be used for parts around automobile engines and parts for aviation and aerospace equipment. "
Bioplastics are made by fermenting sugar in plants into plastics, such as corn and sugarcane fibers. This material has the potential to play an important role in a society that pays more attention to recycling. Onishi and colleagues explored ways to overcome the lack of heat resistance and successfully synthesized a new bioplastic whose chemical composition is completely different from ordinary products.
They improved the process of using microorganisms in production, while using the same ingredients as the existing bioplastics. Researchers extracted AHB and ABA two aromatic molecules from the pulp and combined them with other recombinant microorganisms and chemicals to convert them into new polymers; then, after chemical treatment, they became heat-resistant membranes and then light organic plastic. This new type of macromolecular design can not only improve heat resistance, but also can be widely molded. Scientists believe that this technology can also improve the function and quality of other types of plastics.
The researchers tested the new material in a nitrogen-filled environment and found that the material will not decompose until the temperature reaches 743°C. This is the highest heat-resistant plastic on record so far, which can withstand higher heat-resistant synthetic fiber Zron The temperature (715°C) is even higher. At present, the bioplastics on the market are easily affected when the temperature exceeds 200°C. Therefore, traditional environmentally friendly plastic materials are only used for products such as spoons, cups and shopping bags.
The team also stated that by genetically modifying microorganisms, production can be increased, chemical reaction efficiency can be improved, and production costs can be reduced. Moreover, the heat resistance of this new bioplastic is better than aluminum and magnesium, and it can be combined with these metals to make auto parts and building materials.