Scientists have proposed a method for the synthesis of plastics from low concentrations of carbon dioxide. In this respect informs Osaka University.
Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate is a biodegradable but water resistant plastic often used in packaging materials. The raw material for this is 3-hydroxybutyrate, which turns into plastic during polymerization. Previously, scientists at Osaka University had found that 3-hydroxybutyrate can be synthesized from carbon dioxide and acetone with high efficiency, but only at high concentrations of this gas.
Now, Yutaka Amao and colleagues have been able to achieve the same thing using low carbon dioxide concentrations and acetone from recycled sign ink. Acetone is an inexpensive and relatively harmless chemical (by chemical industry standards) used in many reactions. The reaction itself takes place under the influence of light, similar to the sun. After 24 hours, more than 60% of the acetone was successfully converted to 3-hydroxybutyrate.
The carbon dioxide concentration used in the experiments corresponds to that in the exhaust gases of thermal power plants. Potentially, this paves the way for the production of plastic from waste, which both lowers its price and reduces environmental pollution.