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.

Car tyre

How tyres are turning green

By

As the shift to using renewable and recycled materials in car tyres accelerates, Nina Notman talks to the manufacturers driving the change

Biodegradable plastic bag that has not fully degraded

Clearing up the compostable plastic mess

By

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

1959 Barbie

Conserving Barbie from degradation

By

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

By

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

By

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

By

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

Polymers

Figure

Iontronic gel droplets detect beating heart tissue

Microscale hydrogels converted into biocompatable electrical components

Figure

Cellulose and chitin foam can remove nearly all microplastics from water

Biopolymer foam remains effective in water with heavy metals and other pollutants

Plastic treaty

Plastic treaty negotiators fail to reach agreement

Disputes over treaty’s scope remain as original deadline passes

Microplastics

Nanoplastics found to interfere with activity of antibiotic

Microscopic polymer pieces can decrease efficacy of drug

ISS

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

The materials might one day make it into spacecraft components

PFAS

Reaction setup

Visible light-powered catalysts clean up ‘forever chemicals’

Organic photoredox catalysts show promise for fluorinated pollutants

Someone filling a glass with water from a tap

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

Scientist monitoring Waters Xevo TQ Absolute mass spectrometer and Acquity UPLC system with real-time data on a computer screen

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

Sponsored by

Improve the efficiency of PFAS and other high profile analysis using LC-MS systems with waters_connect System Monitoring software

Child in rainproof coat

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 

A lab set up

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

Plastic recycling

Recycled plastic gravel

The moral theories behind climate deadlock

Why is it so controversial to do the right thing for the environment?

Plastic treaty

Plastic treaty negotiators fail to reach agreement

Disputes over treaty’s scope remain as original deadline passes

Giant plastic tap

After years of negotiations, a global agreement to tackle plastic pollution is within sight

The UN’s plastics treaty negotiations have faced many hurdles, but delegates are getting closer to a final agreement

Plastic

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

Structures

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

Microplastics

Figure

Cellulose and chitin foam can remove nearly all microplastics from water

Biopolymer foam remains effective in water with heavy metals and other pollutants

Microplastics

Nanoplastics found to interfere with activity of antibiotic

Microscopic polymer pieces can decrease efficacy of drug

Tractor covering an asparagus field with mulching plastics

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

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