Collections

Plastics and polymers

In this collection we explore advancements in plastics and polymers research, covering topics such as polymer synthesis, characterisation techniques, material properties, biodegradable polymers, plastic waste and recycling, and the impact of microplastics and PFAS on the environment and human health.

1959 Barbie

Conserving Barbie from degradation

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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

Polymer scrabble

Editing polymer backbones

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

Wood texture

The wonderful wizards of wood

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

An illustration showing a skier

Better skiing through chemistry

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

An image showing a muscle fibre anatomy

A test of strength for artificial muscles

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

An image showing a ferrofluid

The rise of ferrofluids

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Magnetic liquids are taking off, Hayley Bennett reports, but not as their inventor once imagined

Polymers

Superglue

Super-fast setting sticky polymers can suture tricky internal wounds

Chemical wizardry allowed unstable polymer produced from bio-based precursor to be stabilised

A scientist holds up a 3D display that uses embedded photoswitch molecules contained within a polymer matrix

Reversible 3D images displayed in light-activated material

Images are printed, erased and animated in polymer-based handheld device

An image of a tree-like branching crystal

Imaging study illuminates new type of electrical tree

Fresh perspective on mechanism and products of dielectric breakdown

Waste polystyrene takeaway food containers

Mechanochemistry adds fluorine to discarded polystyrene

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

Library of polymers

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

PFAS

Condoms

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

Lots of lithium ion batteries

PFAS from rechargeable batteries pose environmental threat

Electrolyte material used in lithium-ion batteries is highly mobile and potentially toxic

Tampons and sanitary pads

First US state bans PFAS, other chemicals from period products

Vermont prohibits PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde and more with other states pursuing similar restrictions

Firefighting foam

PFAS levels in the environment have been significantly underestimated

20 years’ worth of environmental samples reveal up to 80% exceed drinking water standards

Drinking water

US finally gets nationwide regulation of PFAS in drinking water

Long-awaited rule is significantly stricter and covers six PFAS, with a five-year phase in for water utilities

Plastic recycling

Waste polystyrene takeaway food containers

Mechanochemistry adds fluorine to discarded polystyrene

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

Library of polymers

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

Plastic pollution

Tackling plastic is a tangled mess…

…but cutting production has to be part of the solution

Bottled water

Nanoplastics make up around 90% of the plastic particles found in bottled water

Seven different types of plastic detected in three bottled water brands

Plastic recycling

Chemical recycling finds itself in the firing line as viability of process questioned

Analysis finds that ‘advanced recycling’ creates a toxic waste problem, but some researchers are concerned important nuance is not acknowledged

Microplastics

Microplastics

Meet the microplastome

New concept seeks to unify microplastics research

Colourful toy plastic bricks

Playing with plastic toy building bricks creates microplastic and nanoplastic pollution

Effects of such microscopic plastic particle on health is unknown but scientists urge caution – and more research

Figure

Microplastics passed on during cell division

New research sheds light on the influence of microplastics on cellular processes

Train derailment

US derailment highlights continuing chemical rail freight concerns

Three-train crash in Pennsylvania leaked diesel and plastic pellets into waterways

Bottled water

Nanoplastics make up around 90% of the plastic particles found in bottled water

Seven different types of plastic detected in three bottled water brands